Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is a condition in which thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) required in the body. Thyroid is a two-lobed butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. It produces thyroid hormones which regulate body metabolism or simply put regulate how the body uses energy. When thyroid hormones are not produced in enough quantity, the body’s functions tend to slow down. Symptoms may not be noticeable in the early stages of hypothyroidism. With the progression of the condition, symptoms start showing up. The early and most common signs and symptoms include weight gain (obesity), fatigue (tiredness), and increased sensitivity to cold.  Other symptoms include muscle weakness, stiffness or swelling, muscle/joint pains, and constipation. Other indications include puffiness on the face, hands and feet. Thinning of hair, dry hair, and brittle fingernails may be noted. Slow heart rate and movements, elevated cholesterol levels, sleepiness, skin dryness, and decreased sweating may be present. In females, heavy menses is reported. Feeling depressed, impaired memory, decreased sexual interest, numbness and tingling sensation in hands, and low and hoarse voice are the other symptoms.

Homeopathy offers a wonderful and natural treatment for cases of hypothyroidism. Homeopathic medicines are highly effective in mild to moderate cases of hypothyroidism. Homeopathic medicines mainly target improving the function of the thyroid gland, and giving symptomatic relief to the patient. Natural homeopathic remedies for hypothyroidism are useful for people who want to avoid the side effects of conventional drugs.

Homeopathy boost thyroid functioning

Homeopathic medicines improve working of the thyroid gland in a natural manner in cases of hypothyroidism by working on the root cause of the problem. This promotes great relief in the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. As the underlying cause is addressed with these medicines, the complaint is treated in the long run rather than providing temporary respite. For achieving top results, it is recommended to complete the entire course of medicine for the time period suggested by the homeopathic doctor. In mild to moderate cases of hypothyroidism, homeopathic treatment is recommended. But in severe cases or cases having complications, it is advised to take help from conventional mode of treatment.

Individualized medication

The required medicine for every case of hypothyroidism has to be selected from a wide range of homeopathic medicines. The medicine to be taken is decided after detailed study of case history and symptoms presented by the patient. The potency and frequency of the finalised medicine varies from case to case as per the age, prominent symptoms, as well as thyroid hormone levels evaluated by a blood test. As the medicines prescribed as customised for a given case, it promises to provide excellent results. It is advised to avoid self-prescription.  Consider the use of any of these medicines after proper case evaluation from a homeopathic doctor.

Safe, harmless medicines

In homeopathy, all the medicines used for treating hypothyroidism are of natural origin hence these are safe to use. These are used in a highly diluted forms that work very gently in a harmless manner and causes no side effects at all. These can be considered as a great alternative natural medicines to provide a safe recovery.

Top 5 Homeopathic Remedies for Hypothyroidism

The top five homeopathic medicines for treating hypothyroidism are Thyroidinum, Calcarea Carb, Natrum Mur, Sepia and Graphites.

1. Thyroidinum – Top-grade medicine for hypothyroidism

Thyroidinum is a top-listed homeopathic medicine for thyroid issues known to stimulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. It is suitable for persons who have a puffy face and complain of weight gain. They get tired easily and want to lie down all the time. They are over-sensitive to cold and their hands and feet remain cold. Thyroidinum also addresses skin problems arising out of an underactive thyroid. Here, it especially helps persons with extremely dry skin. Irritability, weak memory, and tingling sensation are some of the other complaints that can be addressed with this medicine.

When to use Thyroidinum?

Thyroidinum is the best choice of medicine for cases of hypothyroidism with concerns of weight gain, sensitivity to cold, skin dryness, irritability of mind and tingling sensations.

How to use Thyroidinum?

This medicine is used in varying potencies like 3X, 6C, 30C varying from case to case. It is suggested to consult a homeopathic doctor for the right potency and dosage for best results.

2. Calcarea Carb – To Manage Weight Gain, Sensitivity to Cold and Constipation in Hypothyroidism

Calcarea Carb is the next most important medicine used very frequently in cases of hypothyroidism. Its use is highly recommended when there is excessive weight gain as a consequence of underactive thyroid. Next, it is prominently recommended when there is increased sensitivity to cold. It also works well when there is marked weakness, which gets worse while walking or climbing upstairs. This medicine can also help in relieving constipation in hypothyroid patients – the peculiar feature needing it is that initial part of the stool is hard followed by soft stool. This medicine proves to be very efficacious in women with hypothyroidism who suffer from very profuse menses that continue for a long duration and occur earlier than the expected date. Feet remain cold during menstrual periods.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

This medicine offers much help in cases of hypothyroidism to manage weight gain, sensitivity to cold and constipation. Its use is also indicated to manage complaint of heavy and prolonged menses in women.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

Though it may be used in different potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency once a day. Higher potencies like 200C and 1M can also be considered afterward but only under the supervision of a homeopathic expert.

3. Natrum Mur – To Manage Depression, Sadness, Hair Fall, and Weakness in Hypothyroidism

It proves effective in managing certain specific complaints linked with hypothyroidism. Firstly, it manages depression very effectively. Those needing it have marked sadness and weep often. Secondly, it is a very good medicine for dealing with hair thinning and hair fall in persons suffering from hypothyroidism. Thirdly, it can be given when there is frequent exhaustion. There is tiredness and a sleepiness all the time. Weakness is felt more in the morning while in bed. Its use can also be considered to manage numbness and tingling sensation in fingers. Hands and feet remain cold in cases needing it. Lastly, it works well in managing dryness of skin.

When to use Natrum Mur?

Natrum Mur is highly suitable to manage depression with sadness and weeping bouts, marked weakness, hair thinning and hair fall complaint and numbness, tingling sensation in fingers in cases of underactive thyroid.

How to use Natrum Mur?

This medicine is mostly prescribed in 6X potency that can be used once or twice a day.

4. Sepia – For Managing Cold Sensitivity, Heavy Periods, Constipation from Hypothyroidism

The patients requiring this medicine are very weak, have a pale yellow face, and are extremely sensitive to cold. They feel cold even in a warm room. This medicine can help in treating menstrual complaints in patients with hypothyroidism where menses are too early and are heavy. The patient feels as if the pelvic organs will come out through the vulva, therefore they always sit cross-legged. The use of Sepia is also recommended for women with low libido (decreased sexual desire). The medicine is effective in treating constipation in hypothyroid patients. The patients requiring this medicine complain of very hard and difficult stool that is passed as small balls with excessive pain that continues for a long time after passing stool.

When to use Sepia?

This medicine should be considered in persons of hypothyroidism to manage complaints of increased sensitivity to cold, heavy menses and constipation with hard, difficult stool.

How to use Sepia?

This medicine can be taken once or twice a week in 30C power.

5. Graphites – To Deal with Obesity, Sdness and Dry Skin

Graphites is mainly recommended for those patients with hypothyroidism who are very obese and over-sensitive to cold. Persons requiring this medicine are very depressed, sad and start crying without any reason. Skin complaints, prominently dry rough skin, can be wonderfully managed with this medicine. It can also be administered to treat persistent constipation where the stool is hard and passes with great difficulty in lumps. There is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen due to gas.

When to use Graphites?

Graphites is suggested for managing complaints such as obesity, sad, depressed feeling and  dryness, roughness of skin in cases of underactive thyroid.

How to use Graphites?

Initially Graphites 30C can be used once a week.

What causes Hypothyroidism?

Various causes can be attributed to hypothyroidism which are as follows:

1. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is an autoimmune disorder (infection-fighting cells of body begin to destroy the body’s own healthy tissues out of a misdirected response). Inflammation develops in immune cells which damages the thyroid gland by mistake and hampers its functioning. What triggers such a response is not clear, genetic factors seem to play a role in it. A person having a family history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is at risk.

2. Thyroiditis: It refers to the inflammation of thyroid gland. It can result from an infection caused by a virus or bacteria; can be an autoimmune process or an after-effect of childbirth (postpartum thyroiditis).

3. Hyper response to hyperthyroidism treatment, radiation therapy and thyroid surgery: People who receive anti-thyroid medicines or radioactive iodine treatment (it destroys thyroid cells) for hyperthyroidism may go on developing hypothyroidism with decreased production of thyroid hormones over a period of time. The thyroid gland may also be affected in those who undergo radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer of the head or neck. It slows down the production of thyroid hormones, ending up in hypothyroidism. A person who has undergone surgical removal of thyroid for some reasons (like goiter, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, etc.) may also develop hypothyroidism.

4. Iodine deficiency and use of certain medications

Iodine is a mineral required for making thyroid hormones. If a person does not have enough iodine in the body, it can result in hypothyroidism. There are certain medications like lithium, interferon alpha and interleukin that can hinder thyroid hormone production.

5. Pituitary disorder

If pituitary gland is unable to produce TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) due to some reasons, like pituitary surgery, pituitary tumors, then hypothyroidism may result, though this cause is rare.

6. Congenital hypothyroidism

In this case, the functioning of thyroid gland is not proper right from birth. At birth, babies with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal, and later mental and physical growth gets hampered. New-borns can be screened for hypothyroidism as a preventive measure.

What are the risk factors?

Though anyone can develop hypothyroidism, certain factors increase the risk, like women above 60 years of age; a family history of thyroid disorders; autoimmune disorders (like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome); history of thyroid surgery; treatment with anti-thyroid medicine or radioactive iodine; pregnancy.

Complications arising out of hypothyroidism

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to the following complications:

1. Mental health problems including depression, anxiety, slow mental functioning

2. Goiter (enlargement of thyroid gland); trouble in breathing, and heart problems

3. Pain, numbness and tingling sensation in different body parts due to damage to peripheral nerves; joint pains; carpal tunnel syndrome (syndrome caused by numbness, tingling, weakness in fingers due to compression of the median nerve)

4. Infertility issues

5. Myxoedema coma with symptoms of extreme intolerance to cold, drowsiness, weakness, lethargy, difficulty in breathing, and confusion that leads to unconsciousness. It is a medical emergency needing urgent treatment.

6. Increased risk of preeclampsia (a dangerous condition characterized by very high blood pressure during pregnancy with retention of fluid and protein in urine), and anemia during pregnancy. Increased risk of birth defects and developmental problems in babies borne by women having untreated hypothyroidism.