Understanding Hyperthyroidism & Managing it Holistically

What is It?

Hyperthyroid is described as a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormones known as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). It's the opposite of Hypothyroidism. Since thyroid hormones increase the metabolism of cells, you may experience many symptoms related to high metabolism. You might feel like a furnace, become rail-thin, toss and turn at night, and feel extremely agitated and anxious. It wears on your whole body. In advanced cases, your eyes may bulge out. (2)

Causes

The most common cause is an autoimmune condition known as Graves’ disease. This condition is more common in women over the age of twenty. As the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, it stimulates the release of an antibody known as thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb), which causes the thyroid to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormones (which is how it counts the phrase "hyper").

Common Medical Treatment

Conventional therapy offers three main treatment options:

• Antithyroid medications that suppress the production of thyroid hormones,

• Radioactive iodine (which destroys the thyroid gland)

• Surgical removal of the thyroid.

Those who receive radioactive iodine or surgery will tend to develop hypothyroidism (low thyroid), which then requires thyroid-hormone supplementation for the rest of their lives.

Seems like a vicious cycle right?

Holistic Approach

An even gentler route — focusing on lifestyle changes and supportive herbs, especially if you’re self-treating — may work just as well in the early stages of thyroid disease.

Hyperthyroidism can sometimes be reversed solely with natural therapy when it’s treated in the early stages.

Other Causes to Consider

The root causes of the autoimmune response, such as stress, hormone imbalance, chronic infections, or gluten allergy, must be identified and treated. Otherwise, natural therapies can be integrated with antithyroid medications such as methimazole to maintain a better thyroid balance.

SYMPTOMS

•Anxiety and nervousness

•Increased sweating

•Breast enlargement in men

•Insomnia (possible)

•Menstrual irregularities

•Diarrhea

•Muscle weakness

•Difficulty concentrating

•Rapid or irregular heartbeat

•Double vision

•Restlessness

•Eyeballs that protrude (exophthalmos)

•Shortness of breath with exertion

•Thyroid enlargement (goiter)

•Eye irritation and tearing

•Tremor

•Fatigue

•Weight gain (rare)

•Heat intolerance

•Weight loss

•Increased appetite

ROOT CAUSES

The following are the causes accepted in conventional medicine:

•Genetics—a family history of the disease

•Sex—women are seven times more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men are

•Age—Graves’ disease usually develops after age twenty

•Smoking

•Pregnancy

•Stress

Holistic Practitioners also look at:

•Food allergies such as gluten (which can trigger autoimmunity)

•Toxic metals

•Poor digestive function

•Overall hormone balance, particularly stress hormones such as DHEA and cortisol, which modulate the immune system

•Environmental toxins (such as pesticides)

Testing Techniques

The following tests help assess possible reasons for hyperthyroidism:

1. Thyroid-hormone levels and antibodies—blood

2. Food allergies and sensitivities—blood, stool, electrodermal

3. Toxic metals—urine, blood, hair

4. Digestive function and absorption—stool analysis, urine

5. Environmental toxins—blood, urine

TREATMENT

Diet

A healthy diet can reduce the autoimmune response involved in hyperthyroidism.

Recommended Food

Consuming a diet that is focused on whole foods in their natural state as much as possible is ideal not only for hyperthyroidism but in general. This can include vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, nuts and seeds, and non-gluten grains.

Shakes made with protein, anti-inflammatory herbs, and nutrients can be helpful.

Click below for the Whole Foods List! Be sure to keep an eye out for the list of foods to avoid below.

UL WHOLE FOODS LIST_© UNBOXED WELLNESS.pdf

Foods rich in Vitamin B

Consider sardines, bee pollen, nutritional yeast, a little wild game or grass-fed meat

Foods Rich in Magnesium

You can find it in food (blackstrap molasses, nuts, beans, dark leafy greens, cacao) or as a powder or liquid supplement.

Goitrogens. Other dietary goitrogens are less apt to pose a problem compared to soy. It’s rare, but raw cruciferous vegetables — cabbage, kale, broccoli, rutabaga, turnips — occasionally reduce thyroid function. Cassava, peaches, pears, strawberries, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots have goitrogenic thyroid-inhibiting effects but are usually not problematic. Cooking negates most of their goitrogenic action, and concern is greatest when the foods represent a large part of your daily diet. I wouldn’t worry about these foods unless your raw kale salad and green smoothie binges coincide with increased symptoms. Try backing off and see if you notice a difference.

Food to Avoid

Many of those affected with this condition benefit from a gluten-free (no rye, barley, wheat, and most oats) and casein-free (cow’s milk) diet.

Avoid artificial dyes, colorings, sweeteners, and simple sugars.

Herb & Supplement Recommendations

*Please consult your primary physician before taking any of the supplements listed below, especially if you have multiple conditions. These supplements do not serve as a substitute for any current medications that you are currently taking.

Bugleweed: Take 2 ml three times daily. Bugleweed contains organic acids that are believed to inhibit antibody binding to the thyroid

L-carnitine: Take 1,000 mg two to four times daily. One study found that it reduced hyperthyroid symptoms.

*Clinical Research Note: A study in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism found that L-carnitine supplementation significantly alleviated the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled six-month trial involved fifty women. The researchers found that 2,000 to 4,000 mg daily of oral L-carnitine was able to relieve many symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism without any toxicity or medication interaction. It also helped to reduce elevated liver enzymes.(1)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Take 2 ml three times daily. It contains substances that inhibit antibody binding to the thyroid gland.

• Lemon balm also prevents autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors, making it particularly useful for treating Graves’ disease. It’s worth noting that lemon balm is commonly used for conditions with symptoms similar to those observed in hyperthyroid disease: insomnia, anxiety, agitation, and stress-related cardiac overdrive, including panic attacks, rapid heart beat, palpitations, and tachycardia. (2)

Keep a close eye to see if the herbs agree with you, but herbalists report that adverse reactions are incredibly rare.

B-complex Take 50 mg twice daily to help with symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Magnesium. This mineral has profound benefits throughout the body, and a deficiency in magnesium may indirectly aggravate an underactive thyroid via calcium balance and hormone production. Magnesium supplements may interact with various medications (including decreasing the effect of Synthroid), but you can often take them at different times of day. Food sources should not be a problem.

Bitters and digestive support. Though not directly thyroid supportive, adequate digestion and assimilation is essential to provide the body with the building blocks it needs to function well. Poor digestion can be an early factor in thyroid problems, and hypothyroid disease compounds the issue by slowing down digestion and metabolism further. You could be eating all the right things but not absorbing them. Herbal bitters are one of our best allies for digestion. Taken regularly just before meals, they turn on digestion by increasing enzyme and stomach acid production, strengthening peristalsis, and boosting bile production and excretion.

Look for more on herbal bitters soon!

REFERENCES:

1. Stengler, M., Balch, J., Young, R. Hyperthyroidism Prescription for Natural Cures. 3rd Ed.

2. Murray, Michael, Pizzorno, Joseph. Hyperthyroidism. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. 3rd Ed. (702-706)