All Natural Remedies to Drugs, Radio Active Iodine, Surgery for
HYPERTHYROIDISM & HYPOTHYROIDISM
The thyroid is a tiny gland located in the neck that has an enormous impact on the health and well-being of the entire person. The thyroid secretes thyroid hormone, which in turn regulate human growth, maturation and the speed of metabolism. Optimal functioning of the thyroid gland is dependent on several factors: correct function of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, an adequate supply of iodine and conversion of thyroxin (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3).
When one of these factors is out of balance, the affected individual will begin to experience either hyperthyroidism (response the presence of excessive amount of thyroid hormone) or hypothyroidism (consequence of a deficient quantity of thyroid hormone).
Hyperthyroidism
The western medicine view
Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overactive thyroid gland and increased circulating levels of thyroid hormone. In general, hyperthyroidism is more common in young adults between the age of 20 and 40, and is found more often in women than in men. Clinically, the patient will exhibit signs and symptoms such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, moist skin, perspiration, nervousness, increased appetite, weight loss, insomnia, diarrhea, weakness, thickened skin, bulging eyes and confusion, Enlargement of the thyroid gland and protrusion of the eyes are two diagnostic symptoms that required additional workup to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Laboratory assessment that plasma levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), T4 and T3 exceed the normal range confirm the positive diagnosis. Hyperthyroidism should be treated as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary stimulation to various system of the body.
The two major conventional modalities for treatment of hyperthyroidism are drugs and surgery. Drug treatment focus on preventing the production and release of thyroid hormone. Thionamide-type drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapozole), are often prescribed to inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. However, since they do not affect the release or storage of thyroid hormone, there is a marked delay in the onset of their action. Furthermore, the use of propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapazole) are associated with a significant number of side effects, including( but not limited) to agranulocytosis (0.5%), rash, arthralgia, edema (>0.2%), hepatitis, lymph node swelling, and loss of the sense of the taste. Patient intolerance of these adverse reaction is a key reason why these drugs not frequent prescribed.
In addition to inhibiting the synthesis of thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism, It is sometimes necessary to inhibit the release of thyroxin (T4) and to provide symptomatic relief. For example, patients with hyperthyroidism may experience high fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, profuse perspiration and tachycardia (up to 160 beats/min) due to the excessive level of thyroid hormone in the blood, PTU and Tapazole are ineffective treatment in such acute situation, due to their delayed onset of action. Therefore, Potassium Iodide (Logo's Solution) inhibit the release of thyroxin (T4) via negative feedback mechanism in the endocrine system. Propranolol (Inderal), a beta blocker, provides symptomatic relief by suppressing the symptoms and signs associated with sympathetic over stimulation. Though effective, neither treatment provides long-term relief: Potassium Iodide (Logo's Solution) works for no more than one or two weeks, a and propranolol ( Inderal) merely suppress the symptoms but does not address the cause of the disorder.
Since none of the drugs treatment offer an ideal solution, doctors and patients often opt for more invasive procedures using radioactive iodine or surgery. These procedure works by physically destroying or removing the thyroid gland, thereby reducing its capacity to produce thyroid hormone. Though these two procedures are initially effective, they are not without risks. Radioactive iodine treatments causes massive destruction of thyroid tissue, and the subsequent release of thyroid hormone may trigger a "thyroid storm" Surgery, if not performed properly, may cause hemorrhage and damage to the laryngeal nerve and local tissue. Furthermore, While surgery or administration of radioactive iodine may treat hyperthyroidism, they after lead to long term complications, namely hyperparathyroidism and hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, even if radioactive iodine or surgery treatments are performed with 100% precision, many patients who show normal thyroid levels after treatment will eventually develop hypothyroidism, and subsequently must take thyroid supplements for the rest of their lives.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine View
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hyperthyroidism is a combination of Qi and Yin deficiencies, Liver fire uprising and phlegm stagnation. Qi and Yin deficiencies are the fundamental causes, while the symptoms and signs show liver fire and phlegm stagnation.Correlated withwestern medicine, Liver fire corresponds to the continuous excitation caused by excessive thyroid hormone. Qi and Yin deficiency represent the weakness and fatigue of the body from prolong over-stimulation ; and phlegm stagnation is illustrated in the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Treatment, therefore must address both the cause and symptoms simultaneously.
Thyro-H #450 is the formula of choice for treatment of hyperthyroidism. Thyro-H # 450 contains herbs that tonify Qi, nourish Yin, purge liver fire and resolve phlegm stagnation. In this formula, Tortoise shell nourish yin and resolve the hard lumps, Scrophularia and Anemarrhena have three impotent functions: replenishing the vital essence, clearing the heat and resolving hard lump in the body. Fritillaria, Oyster Shell,Scrophularia and Arnemarrhena are herbs described historically as dissolving lumps and hardening. Clinically they produce great results in treating goiter and hyperthyroidism. Gardenia and Prunella clear the heat and purge liver fire. They reduce the "sympathetic excess" signs and symptoms commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure , tremor, etc. Fritillaria resolve the phlegm and disperse lumps and hardening. Cyathyula stimulate blood circulation and enhances the overall effectiveness of the formula. Polygala calms the spirit with its sedative and tranquilizing effects, and Licorice harmonizes all the herbs of the formula. Siler and Astragalus are included, because their excellent effects in strengthening defensive Qi and stopping perspiration.
Lifestyle, dietary and exercise adjustments are often beneficial toward recovery. Patients are encouraged to: avoid vigorous exercise, hot tubs and saunas; eliminating all stimulants, such as cigarette smoking, second hand smoke , caffeine from tea, coffee or soft drinks; and consume plenty of foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears, soybeans, spinach and turnips. These foods help to suppress thyroid hormone production. Patients will also benefit from engaging in relaxing exercise, like walking, Qi Gong or Tai Chi. In addition, short-term consumption of foods rich in iodine will provide temporarily relief of hyperthyroidism due to a negative feedback mechanism. While long term consumption will facilitate production of thyroid hormone. Foods rich in iodine include iodized salt, kelp and sargassum.
Hypothyroidism
The Western Medicine View
Hypothyroidism is characterized by an underactive thyroid gland, and by the lack of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism may be caused by many factors, including but not limited to auto-immune disease, lack of dietary iodine, and by the sequelae of hyperthyroid treatment. As mentioned above, the invasive procedure of surgery and administration of radioactive iodine are two treatment options for hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, even when these are performed with absolute precision, many treated patients will eventually develop hypothyroidism.
Regardless of the cause, patients with hypothyroidism share common signs and symptoms associated with the lack of thyroid hormone, These include fatigue, lack of energy, a dull facial expression, hoarse voice, droopy eyelids, puffy and swollen eyes and face, weight gain, constipation, aversion to cold, dry hair and skin, low body temperature and decreased heart rate and blood pressure. The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is supplementation with exogenous thyroid hormone compounds, such as levothyroxine (synthroid), liothyronine (Cytomel) and Liotrix ( Thyrolar). Though these pharmaceuticals are effective, the titration and stabilization of the medications can be challenging; fluctuation in dosage will lead to hyperthyroid-like or hypothyroid-like conditions. In addition, it has been shown that the use of thyroid supplements is associated with decreased bone density in the hips and spines of pre-and post-menopausal women. This significant side effect often goes unnoticed in the beginning, and when finally diagnosed, is difficult to treat and impossible to reverse.
Traditional Chinese Medicine View
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by Yang deficiency of kidney, spleen and heart. While the fundamental etiology is kidney Yang deficiency, complications may involve Yang deficiency of the spleen and heart. In correlation with western medicine, the lack of thyroid hormone production is directly associated with Kidney Yang deficiency. Thyroid hormone acts as a catalyst that stimulates and increase the metabolism of various systems in the body. As adequate amount of thyroid hormone is required to ensure proper growth, maturation and development. When thyroid hormone become deficient, metabolism will be hindered in various part of the body. Additionally, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney energy is the source of Yang energy in the body. When Kidney Yang is abundant, there is adequate warmth in all organs, when kidney yang becomes deficient, it is no longer able to warm up the organs, leading to compromised physiological functions. Treatment, therefore must address Yang deficiency of the organs involved.
Thyro-Lo #455 is the herbal of choice for patients with hypothyroidism
The herbs in this formula function to stimulate the production of thyroid hormone, increase basal metabolism, improve physiological function and enhance energy levels. The synthesis of hormone requires adequate quantities of iodine. Without iodine as raw material, the thyroid gland continually attempts to increase production of thyroid hormone (without success), eventually leading to hypertrophy of the gland. Rich in iodine content, sargassum and laminaria stimulate production of thyroid hormone. In case of hypothyroidism due to lack of dietary iodine, these seaweeds effectively reduce hypertrophy and enlargement of the thyroid gland. In addition to supplying adequate quantities of iodine, it is imperative to take steps to increase basal metabolism and improve physiological function. Basal metabolism may be increased by use of Yang tonic herbs, such as cinnamon bark and prepared aconite. These two of the strongest and most commonly used herbs for fortification of Yang energy of Kidney, Heart and Spleen. Studies have shown that cinnamon bark and prepared aconite have stimulating effects on the body, leading to excitation of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and immune systems. In other words, combining these herbs creates excellent synergistic function to tonify Yang and treat the underlining cause of hypothyroidism.
Furthermore, physiological function can be improved with Yin Tonic herbs. Numerous herbs in this formula have shown marked stimulating effects on the endocrine system to increase the production of various endogenous hormones. Examples include cooked rehmmania, cornus, and dioscorea. while alisma, moutan and poria do not have any direct effects on the production of thyroid hormones, they are added to balance the tonic herbs and minimized any unwanted effects. In addition, lycium fruit is used to tonify liver and kidney Yin. Deer antler and testudinis are also excellent herbs to tonify Kidney Yang and Yin and Kidney essence. Both are safe and effective when used in large doses for a long period of time. Lastly, Ginseng has a positive cognitive effects to improve learning and memory, stimulates the pituitary gland to increase the release of various endogenous hormones, balances of the cardiovascular system by restoring homeostasis and enhance the immune system.
Lifestyle and dietary requirement: Patients should be encouraged to avoid fluoride and chlorine (found in toothpaste and tap water). These chemicals may block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland, leading to reduced hormone production and eventually hypothyroidism. Drink only distilled water, minimize intake of foods that suppress the production of thyroid hormone, such as Brussels sprouts, peaches, pears, spinach, turnips, cabbage, broccoli, kale and mustard greens, and consume adequate amounts of foods rich in Vitamin B complex for proper generation and utilization of energy. All Natural Remedies for Treatment of Goiter,Thyroma,Thyroditis
Chinese medical view of causes and pathology of Goiter
In most case Goiter are triggered by emotional, improper diet and environment but sometimes cause by physiological changes
1. Emotional disturbance : due to long term angry, anxiety or depression causes blocking or stasis of energy channels, liver Qi stasis. Distribution and circulation of body fluid slowing down which will become phlegm. Energy stasis and phlegm accumulated in the front of neck turns into Goiter
2. Blood and energy stasis : poor energy and blood circulation causes lumps and tumor or Goiter
3. Physiological changes: women's menstruation, pregnancy and breast feeding physiological characteristics close related to liver Qi and blood, whenever emotional disturbance or dietary changes will causes energy stasis and phlegm accumulation and liver fire pathology changes, therefore women are easy target for Goiter, furthermore, those patients with Yin deficiency has a great chance of causing liver fire has a bad progress of illness
4. Improper Diet, drinking water lack of iodine, life style and Environment, especially people lived in high mountain area may affect body's digestive system, the body can not handle and distribute excess fluid which forms phlegm, affect blood and energy circulation, the blood and phlegm combined each other and accumulate in the front of neck becomes Goiter.
Classification of Goiter: There are two kind of Goiter Classification
A. Goiter can be classified into 5 categories : Stone Goiter, Earth Goiter, Labor Goiter, Emotion Goiter and Qi Goiter. Stone Goiter and Earth Goiter is due to diet and drinking water or hash enviroment
while Labor Goiter, Emotion and Qi Goiter is due to emotional disturbance such as anxiety, nervousness or depression.
B . 1. Stone Goiter: immovable, hard lump; 2. Flesh Goiter: The color of the goiter and skin are the same; 3. Vessel Goiter: visible blood vessels, 4. Blood Goiter: visible red blood vessels; 5. Qi Goiter: goiter on and off due to emotion high and low.
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment of Goiter
Goiter-PQ # 900 Caps
Pathology: Qi stasis and phlegm blocking
Symptoms: Goiter lump located in the front of neck, painless, soft texture, tension feeling in the neck, tightness in the chest, always sigh a sigh or chest pain, with white coating in the tongue and pulses tightness
Ingredients: Saussurea and Citrus Reticulata, Laminaria, Sargassum,Os Sepiae,Concha Cyclinae, Bupleurum, Cyperus, Platycodon, Artium, and Belamcanda $35.00/90 caps
Goiter-PB # 903 Caps
Pathology: Blood Stasis and Phlegm Blocking
Symptoms: Goiter appeared in the front of neck, hard feeling or becomes nodule, chest fullness or tightness, indigestion, thin or thick white coating on the tongue
Ingredients: Laminaria, Sargassum, Kun Bu, Citrus Reticulata, Citrus Reticulata Immaturus; pericap, Pinellia, Forsythia, Angelica Sinesis, Ligusticum Chunxiong,Sarganium, Curcuma, Salvia Mitiorrhiza, Prunella vulgaris, Cortex Moutan. $35.00/90 caps
Goiter-LF #905 Caps
Pathology: Intensive Liver Fire
Symptoms: Goiter in the front of neck light or moderate swelling, generally soft, shining smooth, nervousness, easy sweating, irritable and easy angry, bulging eyes, finger tremor, red face, bitter mouth, red tongue body, slight yellow tongue moss, tight and fast pulse.
Pathology: phlegm accumulated in the front of neck causes swelling of thyroid gland; due tothe internal heat harms the heart Yin. Deficiency of heart Yin causes palpatation, nervousness and insomnia. Deficiency of Liver Yin causes fatigue. Eyes is the opening of liver, lack of nutrition causes vertigo, dizziness, Internal wind movement causes tremor of fingers and tongue body. Red tongue and weak and fast pulse.
A swelling, ranging in size from a small nodule to a massive lump, in the front of the neck just below your Adam’s apple.
A feeling of tightness in the throat area.
Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath), coughing, wheezing (due to compression of the windpipe).
Difficulty swallowing (due to compression of the esophagus).
Hoarseness.
Neck vein distention.
Dizziness when the arms are raised above the head.
Other symptoms can include:
An increased resting pulse rate
Rapid heartbeat
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
Sweating without exercise or increased room temperature
Shaking
Agitation
(The above group of symptoms are signs of hyperthyroidism -- a condition in which the thyroid is overstimulated. Some people with goiter may also have hyperthyroidism.)
Fatigue, constipation, dry skin
Weight gain
Menstrual irregularities
(The above group of symptoms are signs of hypothyroidism -- a condition in which the thyroid is underactive. Some people with goiter may also have hypothyroidism.)
Diagnosing Goiter
The presence of an enlarged goiter indicates that there is a problem with the thyroid gland, even if the patient does not have any clinical signs of a thyroid problem.
Tests to Diagnose Goiter
Hormone Test - Blood tests measuring all the various thyroid hormones will able to determine how your thyroid is functioning. If your thyroid is overactive, the level of thyroid hormone in the blood will be high and the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) will be low. If your thyroid is underactive the level of thyroid hormone will be low while the level of TSH will be high.
Antibody Test - A blood test may confirm the presence of auto-immune antibodies, such as in Graves Disease, that are causing the goiter to develop.
Ultrasonography - An ultrasound scan is an imaging test will be able to reveal the size of the thyroid gland and the presence of any nodules.
Thyroid Scan - This scan will help evaluate the structure and function of the thyroid and involves the administration of radioactive substance.
Iodine Deficiency - Iodine found in fish products, drinking water and table salt, is essential for the production of thyroid hormone. If there is a lack of it, an individual will suffer from hypothyroidism. In an effort to produce more thyroid hormone the thyroid gland is over stimulated and enlarges to form an endemic goiter. An iodine deficiency is very common in underdeveloped countries.
Graves’ Disease - This is an autoimmune disorder which causes the thyroid gland to be overactive (hyperthyroidism). In Graves’ disease, antibodies produced by the immune system stimulate the thyroid gland which then enlarges, resulting in an enlarged goiter, and produces excess thyroid hormone.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Hashimoto’s disease is also an autoimmune disorder. The immune system destroys the thyroid gland which results in less thyroid hormone being produced. The pituitary gland then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones, causing it to enlarge and a goiter can then develop.
Solitary Thyroid Nodules - A single nodule develops inside the thyroid which causes an enlarged thyroid.
Multinodular Goiter - In this disorder, many nodules develop inside the thyroid which causes an enlarged thyroid. These nodules are usually not harmful.
Thyroid Cancer - The cancer may be detected as a lump or nodule in the thyroid gland and may result in goiter formation.
Inflammation - Inflammation of the thyroid is also referred to as thyroiditis, and it is usually associated with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). There are many causes of thyroiditis that can result in an enlarged thyroid or goiter. Some common symptoms of thyroiditis include mild fever and neck pain that is worse with swallowing.
Pregnancy - During the first tri-mester of pregnancy, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) can result in an enlarged thyroid gland. The thyroid gland mistakenly registers HCG for TSH (the thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and enlarges in response to it.
Classification
They are classified in different ways:
A "diffuse goiter" is a goiter that has spread through all of the thyroid (and can be a "simple goitre", or a "multinodular goitre").
"Nontoxic goiter" (associated with normal or low thyroid levels) refers to all other types (such as that caused by lithium or certain other autoimmune diseases).
Other type of classification:
I - palpation struma - in normal posture of head it cannot be seen. Only found when palpating.
II - struma is palpative and can be easily seen.
III - struma is very big and is retrosternal. Pressure and compression marks.
[ Symptoms
In general, goiter unassociated with any hormonal abnormalities will not cause any symptoms aside from the presence of anterior neck mass. However, for particularly large masses, compression of the local structures may result in difficulty in breathing or swallowing. In those presenting with these symptoms, malignancy must be considered.
Meanwhile, toxic goiters will present with symptoms of thyrotoxicosis such as palpitations, hyperactivity, weight loss despite increased appetite, and heat intolerance.
