How Homeopathy can Help in Treating Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Known as the most common cause of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease (also known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) is an autoimmune disorder in which the cells of the immune system damage the thyroid gland due to a misdirected response. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones, which control body’s metabolism. In case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormones, giving rise to the symptoms of an under-active thyroid. This condition slows down many functions in the body. Homeopathic medicine for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis helps moderate the immune system and treats the symptoms to help manage the hormonal fluctuations.
Hashimoto’s disease in some people may cause the thyroid gland to become so inflamed that it results in goiter (abnormal enlargement of thyroid gland).

Difference between Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism are two different labels although both involve thyroid becoming underactive.
In Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, malfunctioning immune cells attack the thyroid gland. This results in the impairment of the ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone.
This is how Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis becomes the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

Homeopathic Remedies for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

1. Sepia Officinalis – For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis  with Irritability

Sepia Officinalis is a medicine for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis when the condition is accompanied by lack of vital heat in the body, hair fall, irregular bowel movement and menstrual complaints. The mental symptoms associated are extreme irritability and indifferent behavior, unusually excessive craving for acidic things and pickles.

2. Calcarea Carbonica – For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in Obese People

Calcarea Carbonica is a medicine for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in obese people who are always chilly and cannot tolerate cold air. It is also used to treat hypothyroidism with depression, nervousness, and fatigue especially in patients with sluggish dispositions.
People needing this medicine also show peculiarities in eating habits like craving for boiled eggs, desire for indigestible things like chalk, pencils, lime, and aversion to fats. It has been proved efficacious in women with hypothyroidism who suffer from very profuse menses that continue for long durations that occur earlier than the expected. The feet may be cold during the menstrual period.

3. Graphites – For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis with Constipation

Graphites is a medicine for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism in people who suffer from chronic constipation where the stool is hard and passes with great difficulty in lumps. Associated mental symptoms include depression, sadness, timidity, and an inability to make decisions.

4. Natrum Mur – For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in Anemic Females

Natrum Mur is a medicine used to treat Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in anemic females who undergo great physical weakness, dry skin, dry mouth, and obstinate constipation.

Homeopathy – The Best Treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease

Conventional treatment for Hashimoto’s disease tends to involve hormone therapy that is designed to replace the low thyroid hormone levels. This therapy is also known as thyroid replacement therapy wherein a synthetic hormone is used on a daily basis. This hormone is similar to the naturally occurring thyroxine hormone.
However, seventy-percent of the people taking thyroid replacement therapy continue to complain of symptoms. This is because this treatment does not solve the underlying problems that are causing the autoimmune reactions. Thus the treatment with the hormone medication becomes a lifelong requirement.
Homeopathy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis offers supportive therapy in the symptomatic management of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and can also help reduce the intensity and frequency of the symptoms.
The main advantage of opting for a homeopathic remedy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is that the medicines used for its treatment are made of natural substances and do not cause any side-effects.

Natural Remedies

As an ancient 200-year-old medical science, homeopathy uses cures found in nature that help restore the natural healing processes of the body. Homeopathic treatment for Hashimoto’s disease works with a comprehensive treatment plan that works to harmonize the system.
In conventional treatment, use of synthetic hormones can cause side effects that range from mild-to-moderate in intensity.

A Holistic Approach

Homeopathy aims to treat the hormonal problem internally, by understanding the cause of different symptoms instead of suppressing them. Synthetic hormones and other drugs only relieve the symptoms and do not fix the cause of the problem. Homeopathic treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis involves moderating the over-active immune system to prevent further progression of the disease.

Individual Treatment

Homeopathic remedy for Hashimoto’s disease works by analyzing the individual symptoms of the disorder in a person. Since every individual is treated according to their specific symptoms, there is no blanket treatment provided for a particular illness.
For example, for an anemic female with signs of this problem, homeopathic medicine Natrum Mur is recommended, while a homeopathic medicine for thyroid during pregnancy can only be prescribed by analyzing other body functions.

These Medicines are Safe

Homeopathic medicines for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are taken in small doses over a continuous period, which helps improve the efficacy of the natural substances in the medication. This slow-healing action helps treat the problem on a long-term basis while also reducing the symptoms.

Causes of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

“When Immune system attacks the thyroid.”
The exact reason behind Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not apparent, and it is considered to be an autoimmune disease. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the body’s immune cells start destroying the cells of the thyroid gland that results in the development of symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
The development of autoimmune disorders is multifactorial, wherein genetics, diet, stress, hormone levels, environmental influences and immunological factors play a significant role.
The cause of Hashimoto’s disease may also include a reaction from an autoimmune disease or common allergens including inflammatory foods like gluten or dairy. In some people, nutritional deficiencies like those of glutamine, zinc and Vitamin D can also cause the problem.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treatment Guidelines

1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treatment Diet

An important measure to manage Hashimoto’s disease is to remove foods that trigger immune reactions, like gluten, grains, nuts, artificial sugars, dairy products and fast food.
Additionally, adding foods like vegetables and fruits, coconut oil, seaweed, probiotic-rich foods, sprouted seeds, and beans can help moderate the system and restore it to a healthy state. Homeopathic medicine for thyroid diseases works particularly well with correct diet choices.

2. Supplements for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Certain nutrients and supplements help lower the autoimmune reactions and also help the body handle stress better. These supplements and nutrients include probiotics, Vitamin D, and more traditional foods like Aswagandha.

3. Stress Management

It is essential to manage and reduce stress when suffering from Hashimoto’s disease as stress can trigger alterations in the production of neuroendocrine hormones which contribute to immune dysfunction.

Risk Factors for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Various risk factors predispose a person towards Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, like:

• Women are 8-10 times more at risk as compared to men to develop Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
• A family history of autoimmune disorders or thyroid disorders.
• Stress may lead to imbalances in the hormonal levels.
• Pregnancy and postpartum are two situations which affect the thyroid hormones. The pregnant female may develop antibodies to the thyroid hormones during and after pregnancy, resulting in postpartum thyroiditis.
• Smoking cigarettes and sedentary lifestyle are the most common contributory factors in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Initially, the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are very mild and may go unnoticed. In the very beginning, a swelling in the front of the neck due to the enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) occurs in most cases. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis progresses gradually over years and damages the thyroid gland, resulting in a reduction of thyroid hormones that leads to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). By the time the symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are noticeable, the thyroid gland may already be damaged.
The symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include:

• weight gain tiredness/weakness
• low energy levels
• intolerance to cold
• swollen/puffy face
• sleepiness
• muscle aches
• joint pains
• constipation
• thinning/falling of hair
• low libido
• slowed brain function
• weak memory and depression

In females, irregular periods or prolonged/heavy periods, and difficulty in getting pregnant may be noted. There are also high chances of babies born to women with untreated Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to develop congenital disabilities. There is an increased risk of rising cholesterol and heart problems. Myxedema coma is a severe, life-threatening complication of this condition that requires urgent management.

Complications from Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can cause some complications, including putting you at a higher risk for developing other autoimmune disorders.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis increases your risk of developing other related autoimmune disorders. Some examples include Grave’s disease, Addison’s disease, Pernicious Anemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitiligo.

Diagnosing Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is diagnosed through its classic signs and symptoms and by analyzing the result of a blood test that measures levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone. The test may include:
Hormone Test: A blood test can determine the amount of hormones produced by thyroid and pituitary gland. If the thyroid gland is underactive, the level of thyroid hormone will be low, but TSH will be elevated because the pituitary gland tries to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone.
Antibody Test: As Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder, it involves the abnormal production of antibodies. A blood test may confirm the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO antibodies), an enzyme that is typically found in the thyroid gland and plays a vital role in the production of thyroid hormones.