Thyroid and Homeopathy
A February, 2000 research study found that the estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be 10 percent -- a level that is double what was previously thought. This may mean as many as 11 crore Indians are currently undiagnosed. Women are at the greatest risk, developing thyroid problems seven times more often than men. A woman faces as high as a one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime. That risk increases with age and for those with a family history of thyroid problems.
Where is the Thyroid and What Does it Do?
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland, located in your neck, wrapped around the windpipe, and is located behind and below the Adam's Apple area. The thyroid produces several hormones, of which two are key: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help oxygen get into cells, and make your thyroid the master gland of metabolism. Normally, of all the hormone produced by your thyroid, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. Once released by the thyroid, the T3 and T4 travel through the bloodstream. The purpose is to help cells convert oxygen and calories into energy. The hypothalamus in the brain releases something called Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH). The release of TRH tells the pituitary gland to release something called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). This TSH, circulating in your bloodstream, is what tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormones and release them into your bloodstream.
You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if, among a variety of factors:
- You have a family member with a thyroid problem
- You have another pituitary or endocrine disease
- You or a family member have another autoimmune disease
- You've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- You've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
- You're female
- You're over 60
- You've just had a baby
- You're near menopause or menopausal
- You're a smoker
- You've been exposed to radiation
- You've been treated with lithium
- You've been exposed to certain chemicals (i.e., perchlorate, fluoride etc.)
Homeopathic Treatment for Thyroid Disease
In Homeopathy, we propose to treat the problem not by supplementing the deficiency or surplus but by reactivation of efficient glandular function. The medicines used for Hypothyroidism are:
- Bromium 6
- Thyroidinum 200
For Hyperthyroidism, the following medicine provides the requisite relief from most of the symptoms and if applied over a period of time usually cures:
- Iodum 200
In treatment the Einstein’s theory of Relativity is of paramount importance. I feel that when a patient comes to me for treatment, the patient does not come to do Homeopathy, the patient comes to become well. In the case of conventional alopathic medicine, the treatment for thyroid problems entails a lifelong regimen of supplements. In Homeopathy, the concept of a treatment form with a happy ending i.e. the end of treatment with the stoppage of medicines after a time, is the ultimate goal. The concept that Homeopathy takes a long time to work and restore to health may be a misconception when we consider the fact that the ultimate and final aim of all treatment should be the cessation of it by the restoration to health.
