Thyroid Disorders
Description
There are many different thyroid disorders each with different clinical significance. The two most common manifestations of thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism, including thyrotoxicosis, toxic goiter, and Grave's disease, is an overactivity of the thyroid due to a disturbed control mechanism. The excess production of thyroxine causes a general increase in all body processes known as an increase in basal metabolic rate (BMR). This increased activity affects mental and physical well-being.
Hyperthyroidism may be experienced only once, or there may be recurrent attacks. It is fairly uncommon. It can occur at any age although it rarely affects children. Gigantism may result in untreated children with hyperthyroidism. Approximately 1.9% of the female population is believed to have hyperthyroidism. This is eight times greater than males. Other persons at risk of developing hyperthyroidism are the elderly, persons with hypertension, or persons with atherosclerosis. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can be fatal.
Three current treatments of hyperthyroidism include use of antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU), removal of some of the thyroid, or drinking radioactive iodine in a clear salty solution. Iodine is an important constituent of thyroxine; iodine concentrates in the thyroid where it is incorporated into this hormone.
Hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto's disease, is the underactivity of the thyroid. The term myxedema is sometimes used interchangeably with hypothyroidism although some professionals reserve that term for the more serious forms. In this condition, all body processes slow down and there is a lowering of BMR. If a child born with hypothyroidism is left untreated, he or she may become dwarfed and/or mentally retarded. Mental retardation in this case is called cretinism.
Hypothyroidism can affect anyone. It is not considered a rare disease, affecting 1.4% of the female population, most common in women over 40 years of age. It also affects approximately one per five thousand babies.
Treatment includes lifelong use of thyroxine-like drugs.
Causes
Primary Factors
The primary cause of thyroid disorders is not well understood.
Predisposing Factors
Hyperthyroidism
99% of cases are related to: Grave's Disease (85%), Plummer's disease, toxic multinodular goiter and toxic adenoma.
The remaining cases are: acute or subacute thyroiditis, hyperfunctioning thyroid carcinoma, excess thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) due to a pituitary adenoma or carcinoma, neonatal thyrotoxicosis, stroma ovarii, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, ectopic production of TSH, overt psychogenic factors and genetic predisposition
Hypothyroidism
Treatment of hyperthyroidism which may include the use of iodide, thiourea compounds and perchlorate; Dietary goiterogenic vegetables; Pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction resulting in a deficiency of TSH or thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) which may result from: thyroid or pituitary cancer, surgical or radiation destruction of the thyroid, and autoimmune destruction of the thyroid such as Hashimoto disease.
End stages of: toxic goiter, endocrine or sporadic goiter, and chronic thyroiditis.
Failure of T4, the basic form of thyroid molecule, to be converted to T3, the active form of thyroid hormone; faulty thyroid hormone receptors; thyroid hormone binding antibodies; and iodine deficiency in the water or diet.
Congenital disorders which can lead to cretinism such as: genetic defects in hormone metabolism or synthesis and congenital or endemic goiter.
Maternal ingestion of thiourea and other thyroid inhibiting compounds, and absence of thyroid gland at birth.
Signs & Symptoms
Hyperthyroidism
Anxiety
Excitability
Nervousness
Insomnia
Fatigue
Restlessness so severe that there may be an inability to relax
Shaking or trembling, especially noticeable when trying to write
or perform special tasks
Insensitivity to cold due to increased body temperature
Excessive perspiration
Irregular heartbeat
Fast heartbeat
Heart palpitations
Heart flutters
Breathlessness
Diarrhea due to increased intestinal motility
Increased appetite, although there is a weight loss; the body's cells need more energy to survive due to increased basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Muscle atrophy
Weakness
Scanty or absent menstruation
Swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid, a symptom of goiter
Itching
Rare and serious cases of hyperthyroidism involve the eye including:
A gritty eye feeling
Other uncomfortable feelings in the eye
Wide open, protruding eyes, known as exopthalmos
Hypothyroidism
The symptoms of hypothyroidism may be subtle and usually develop over the course of months or years; these include:
Decreased mental capacity
Depression
Paranoia
Drowsiness
Tiredness
General aches
General pains
Numbness and tingling of the hands and wrist
Slowed movement
Decreased perspiration
Coarse, dry, and thick skin
Thin, dry, and lifeless hair
Deep and hoarse voice
Sensitivity to cold, due to decreased body temperature
Hearing loss
Puffy face due to edema of the face and eyelids
General bloating
Slowed pulse
Hypotension
Constipation due to slowed intestinal movements
Loss of appetite, although there is weight gain due to the decreased BMR
Myxedema coma
Symptoms in an infant include:
Lethargy
Difficult to feed
Large tongue
Prolonged neonatal jaundice
Constipation
Hoarse cry
Umbilical hernia
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Single Nutrients &
Multi Vitamin/Multi Mineral Formulas
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | |
| Copper | 3 - 5 mg | n/a |
| EPO | 1 - 3 g | n/a |
| Iodine* | ||
| Lecithin* | ||
| Niacin* | ||
| Pyridoxine* | ||
| Riboflavin* | ||
| Tyrosine | 500 - 1,000 mg | n/a |
| Vitamin A* | ||
| Vitamin C | 500 - 1,000 mg | n/a |
| Vitamin E* | ||
| Zinc | 20 - 40 mg | n/a |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Hypothyroidism
Adequate amounts of fluids should be ingested to prevent constipation. A Weight Reduction Diet should be followed to aid the individual in weight control.
Goiterogenic vegetables should be excluded from the diet as the thiooxazolidine in them interferes with thyroid medication. These vegetables include:
| Brussels sprout | Cabbage |
| Cauliflower | Kale |
| Turnip | Rutabaga |
| Soybean |
Hyperthyroidism
An Immune Strengthening Diet must be followed in order to provide enough calories and protein to avoid body wastage and a negative nitrogen balance. The number of calories needed depends on the severity of the disease. As many as 5,000 calories may be necessary. Extra carbohydrates can be added to the diet to act as fuel and spare protein for building tissues. The concentration of zinc in erythrocytes from hyperthyroid patients is lower than in controls. By contrast, the excretion of urinary zinc is higher than in normal subjects. This indicates that zinc is being lost from the body; supplements must be taken to prevent zinc deficiency. Stimulants, such as coffee and tea (black), should be restricted from the diet.
Goiter
Goiterogenic vegetables should be excluded from the diet as the thiooxazolidine complexes with iodine, preventing thyroid hormone production. These vegetables include:
| Brussels sprout | Cabbage |
| Cauliflower | Kale |
| Turnip | Rutabaga |
| Soybean |
Persons who consume seafood probably ingest enough iodine to prevent goiters. The iodine concentration in vegetables depends on the region where they were grown. To be safe, iodine should be supplemented in the diet through iodized salt.
Goiter-like symptoms may result from chronic cobalt toxicity at dosages greater than 490 micrograms per day.
Homeopathic Remedy
Goiter , simple (thyroid hypertrophy)
1.* Iodium - 15C
2. Spongia tosta - 15C
3.* Calcarea carbonica - 30C
Hypothyroid
1. Iodium - 30C
2. Calcarea carbonica - 30C
3. Spongia tosta - 30C
4. Kali carbonicum - 30C
5. Thyroidinum - 30 C
Hyperthyroid - long term
1. Belladona tinct. - 15C to 30C
2. Pilocarpinum muriaticum - 6C to 15C
3. Lycopus virginicus - 30C
4. Thyroidinum - 2X to 6 X
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Forskolin
Kelp (Laminaria, Macrocystis, Ascophyllum)
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Hyperthyroidism
Bugleweed is most frequently mentioned, including the German Commission E which also mentions Motherwort herb.
Hawthorn may help with heart beat irregularities.
Some common food items may be useful in depressing thyroid function, however, this same list must be avoided if the thyroid levels are low (i.e. hypothyroidism):
All members of the cabbage and mustard family e.g. horseradish.
Hypothyroidism
Other herbs with significant iodine content include: Fucus, Horseradish and Myrrh.
Forskolin (Coleus forkohlii) specifically increases thyroid hormone release.
All members of the cabbage and mustard family e.g. horseradish tend to depress thyroid function.
Vitexin (found in Vitex or Chaste Tree and also Hawthorn) is regarded as a potent inhibitor of free radicals, particularly in thyroid tissue.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Haye, B et al., Chronic and acute effects of forskolin on isolated thyroid cell metabolism. Mol. Cell Endocrinol. 1990, 43:41-50.
Mills, S: The A-Z of Modern Herbalism. Diamond, London, 1993.
Roger, PP et al., Regulation of dog thyroid epithelial cell cycle by forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator. Exp. Cell res. 1990, 172:282-292.
Saunier, B et al., Cyclic AMP regulation of Gs protein. Thyrotropin and forskolin increase the quantity of sitmulatory guanine nucelotide-binding proteins in cultures thyroid follicles. J. Biol. Chem. 1990, 265:19,942-19,946.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Cypress Essence, | Garlic Essence, |
| Onion Essence, | Sage Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
There are many health conditions related to thyroid disorders, some of which are:
| Ache | Diarrhea | Hypotension |
| Anxiety | Dwarfism | Icterus |
| Cancer | Fatigue | Insomnia |
| Childbirth | Gigantism | Nervousness |
| Constipation | Goiter | Pain |
| Cretinism | Heart disorders | Itching |
| Depression | Hypertension | Thyroiditis |
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