Women account for the majority of Thyroid disorder with a ratio of 4 to 1 over men for Hyperthyroid, 8 to 1 for Hypothyroidism and are 2 to 1 more likely to suffer from thyroid tumors.
GENERAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: An overactive (Hyperthyroidism) or underactive (Hypothyroidism) thyroid can result in increased allergies, skin problems, fatigue, nervousness, gastrointestinal problems, sleeping too much or too little, gaining or losing weight, swelling, various types of pain.
There have been some studies done that suggest acupuncture and TCM can be very helpful in the treatment of Hypothyroidism. One study at the Shanghai Medical University in China worked with 32 patients with Hypothyroidism and treated them for a year with Chinese herbs for the kidney meridian as compared to a controlled group of 34 on Western medicine and at the end of the study, the clinical symptoms of hte patients on Chinese herbs were markedly improved. This validates that Hypothyroidism is closely related to deficiency of kidney energy.
WESTERN MEDICINE EXAMINATION:
There are a basic six things doctors look for when trying to diagnosis Hypothyroid which are weight gain, dry skin and hair, hoarse voice, fatigue, cold tolerance and puffy facial feature. Howerver there are many more symptoms that can be present including depression or irritability, aches and pains, constipation, menstrual problems (irregular), recurring infections, high cholesterol, infertility, poor memory and concentration, low libido, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, dry eyes or blurred vision, eye brow loss (outer one-third), easy to bruise, tingling in hands and feet.
Although the split between Hypothyroidism (thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone) and Hyperthyroidism seems to be the more common initially. This is because many times in treating the Hypothyroidism with Western medicine it doesn't just balance the thyroid more often than not it changes it to Hyperthyroidism. This is because it is very hard to regulate the levels of hormones through the use of drugs. And sadly can result in the destruction of the thyroid gland itself.
Research shows the main reason behind ithe disease is a problem with the autoimmune process. Additional root causes included but are not limited to inflammatory disorders of the thyroid including Hashimoto's disease, lodine deficiency, stress, poor diet, inactivity, pregnancy, hormone imbalances especially with regards to estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and DHEA, Surgery on or radiation of the thyroid, certain medications like lithium and synthetic estrogen and failure to the pituitary gland.
This would lead us to looking at Alternative course of action and of course Traditional Chinese Medicine.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE EXAMINATION:
There are two patterns of Yang Deficiency that are differentiated for hypothyroidism:
1. Spleen/Kidney Deficiency: In the pattern of Yang Deficiency with Spleen and Kidney deficiency, the key symptoms are: lassitude, sleepiness, poor memory, dizziness, ring in the ears (tinnitus), weakness of the lower back and knees, aversion to cold, dry skin, dry hair, constipation, edema, impotence(men), and irregular periods(women).
Tongue: pale, puffy tongue body with tooth marks along the edge: white sticky tongue coating.
Pulse: Deep and thin or deep and slow
2.Heart/Kidney Deficiency: In the pattern of Yang Deficiency with the Heart and Kidney Deficiency, the characteristics symptoms are heart palpations, chest congestion and pain, sleepiness, feeling cold.
Tongue: Pale, tender tongue body with a white, slippery coating.
Pulse: Deep, slow.
Acupressure points:
* For a balancing effect on the thyroid: Triple Warmer 17
* For depression: Lung 1
* For fatigue: Bladder 23 and 47
* For constipation: Ren 6
*Additional points: Large Intestine 4, San Jiao 3-6, and Ren 22
* Stomach 36 (Sea of Nourishment Point) for good measure since it benefits stomach and spleen, tonifies Qi and blood, dispels cold, strengthens body, brightens eyes, regulates nutritive and defensive Qi and the intestines. Raises yang expels wind and damp, resolve edema.
Since the thyroid hormones are mostly converted in the liver and the kidneys it would seem that tonifing these two meridians would have a positive effect.
TCM HERBS:
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| Rou Gui |
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| aconite (fu zi) |
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| Eleuthero |
A classical recipe for Yang Deficiency is also very appropriate for Hypothyroidism: add pepper, 3g; ginger, 20g; and tangerine peel, 10g to about half a pound of fresh carp. Cook with an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for one hour over a low flame. Eat three servings a week.
DIET:
Recommended foods: Includes adding Iodine rich foods from the sea if available in your area, such as kelp, nori, kombu and wakame. Fish and seal salt are also good sources. Adding essential fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseeds and fish are very important to the thyroid function.
Foods to avoid: Raw vegatables known as goitrogens can suppress thyroid function: these include kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. However, cooking these vegetables inactivates the goitrogens so they are safe. Avoid drinking tap water, because most tap waters are full of fluorine and chlorine, which both inhibit your ability to absorb iodine.
Additional Alternative tools:
Massage: A full body massage will help reduce stress, improve circulation and improve energy levels.
Reflexology: Working in the area corresponding to the thyroid can help to tonify
Aromatherapy: Geranium oil will help regulate the thyroid hormone along with helping to lift fatigue and depression.
Sources:
Student Manual on the Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine Fourth edition
http://healingdeva.com/thyroid_acupuncture.htm
http://www.tcmpage.com/hpthyroid.html
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