Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that straddles the windpipe just below your Adam’s apple. It weighs around 20 gms and the daily hormone production is less than 1 / 2,800,800 gram. The thyroid makes two hormones, T3 & T4 (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) which help to regulate the body’s metabolism (the speed at which food and oxygen are burnt to produce energy for growth, exercise and times of stress) – that is, an increase in the amount of these hormones speeds up the biochemical processes that provide energy, and spur the growth and repair the tissues; a decrease in thyroid hormones slows down all these processes.

The two other glands that help your thyroid maintain the necessary controls over hormone production are the hypothalamus, a nubbin of tissue in your brain, which stimulates in turn the pituitary, up under the brain. The pituitary in turn produces the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which targets on your thyroid gland, telling it to get to work to meet energy levels.

To make T3 & T4, your thyroid requires a small but steady supply of iodine, a vital ingredient in the make-up of the thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism

In a person with hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormones – a condition which, in its extreme form, is known as thyrotoxicosis. The excess hormones cause the body’s metabolism to speed up. Thus if you have an overactive thyroid, you will burn calories and use vital nutrients much faster than normal, hence your appetite may increase, yet you will lose weight.

It is a fairly common disorder and afflicts 5 times more women than men, generally between 30-60 years of age.

But, we do have a lot of herbs that come to our rescue which when taken along with some homeopathic combinations can get you the desired support without the harsh side effects of the conventional hypothyroid treatment. You may continue to read more to learn more......

Hyperthyroidism is suggested by several signs and symptoms; however, patients with mild disease usually experience no symptoms. In patients older than 70 years, the typical signs and symptoms also may be absent. In general, the symptoms become more obvious as the degree of hyperthyroidism increases. The symptoms usually are related to an increase in the metabolic rate of the body. Symptoms for hyperthyroidism involve:

• Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter) at the front of the neck

• Protruding eyeballs (exophthalmia), retraction of the lids, excessive watering, limited vision

• Tremor (usually fine shaking or trembling in your hands and fingers)

• Raised red or purple patches on the shins (pretibial myxoedema), or a smooth velvety skin that flushes

• Cardiovascular complications: accelerated heart-rate (tachycardia - commonly more than 100 beats a minute), irregular heartbeats (auricular fibrillation), shortness of breath (all usually in older patients), or pounding of your heart (palpitations)

• Weight loss despite increased appetite

• Fatigue, muscle weakness

• Decreased concentration

• Thinning hair

• Breast development in men

• Excessive sweating

• Diarrhea

• Nervousness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, dislike of heat

• Lighter & irregular menstruation

Tests and diagnosis

Basic laboratory tests that evaluate thyroid function:

• Serum TSH is usually low

• T3 and free T4 are usually high - The amount of TSH is important because it's the hormone that signals your thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine. These tests are particularly necessary for older adults, who may not have classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Are you aware of?

In its most severe form, untreated hyperthyroidism may result in "thyroid storm," a condition involving high blood pressure, fever, and heart failure. Mental changes, such as confusion and delirium, also may occur.

Normally, your thyroid releases the right amount of hormones, but sometimes it produces too much thyroxine, basically because the pituitary secretes too much TSH. 

Many common diseases and conditions can cause this problem, including: 

There are various treatments available for hyperthyroidism. The aim of these treatments is to decrease the amount of thyroid hormone made by the thyroid gland so that excess amounts do not get into the bloodstream and alleviate symptoms. Your choice of treatment will depend on your age, overall condition, and the size of your thyroid gland.

The most common conventional treatments include radioactive iodine, betablockers, anti-thyroid medications and surgery (thyroidectomy).

While on these medications, you should be closely monitored due to the frequency of unwanted side effects. As an incorrect choice or dosage of drugs can cause other distressing symptoms, or even make symptoms worse, it is strongly advised that you research these drugs thoroughly and make an informed decision.

The problem, for example, with radical thyroid treatment such as surgery is that it puts the thyroid out of action permanently. This necessitates lifelong prescriptions of synthetic or animal derived thyroid hormone. Hypothyroid symptoms are often the result.

Natural Remedies

Alternative treatments offer a wide variety of methods to help maintain balance in the body, for example homeopathy, acupuncture, physical medicine and massage. They have been used for centuries, and now more than ever before, the Western community is embracing this holistic approach of healthcare.

This holistic approach addresses not only the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but they address the root cause and underlying problems and can help provide all-round support and natural health.

There are a number of herbal and homeopathic ingredients which may be of assistance without the negative side effects of prescription drugs. Some commonly used herbs traditionally used to calm the overactive thyroid include bugleweed (Lycopus virginica), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and motherwort (Leonuris cardica).

To take care of tremors accompanying this disorder, people take combinations of Stramonium (6C), Mag. phos. (D6), Agaricus muscarius (6C) and Tarentula (6C).

Natural remedies can also be investigated as part of a broader treatment plan. It is best to discuss these options with your doctor or consult a homeopath or naturopath for advice. Also, it is important to incorporate a healthy diet, exercise, meditation and other mind-body therapies to get the maximum benefit.

Together, these herbal + homeopathic remedies (dual-modality approach) can:

• Soothe the thyroid gland

• Support the production of the thyroid hormone within normal limits of the pituitary gland

• Help support healthy thyroid functioning

• Support systemic balance in the endocrine system responsible for maintaining body temperature, metabolism, fertility, and growth

• Control shaking and spasms

• Reduce twitches and tremors

• Calm the entire nervous system

• Improve the stability of muscular function

Helpful dietary habits in hyperthyroidism include:

• If weight loss is a serious problem, additional protein, in the form of fish and eggs for example, may be necessary to replace muscle tissue hat has been lost. Adequate intake of the B vitamins, which can be found in whole grains, potatoes and dairy products, is essential for the metabolism of the extra carbohydrates and protein.

• Diet - It should consist of meat, eggs, poultry and cereal. Also, enjoy yellow fruits like mango, papaya, milk and milk products, sprouted pulses and fish.

• The cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard greens, peaches, pears, rutabagas, soybeans, spinach, and turnips contain a substance that helps suppress thyroxine production. Enjoy these vegetables often. For best effect, eat them raw.

• Stay away from refined foods, shellfish, wheat, diary products and alcohol

• Do not rely on iodized salt to obtain the iodine your thyroid gland requires. For their content of natural iodine, which can prevent goiter, include sea vegetable such as dulse, hijiki, and kombu in your diet. Add them to soups or enjoy them as side dishes.

• Limiting alcohol and caffeine (tea, coffee, colas and plain chocolate) intake may reduce the symptoms as they can all raise the metabolic rate. These stimulants may worsen certain symptoms such as fast heartbeat, nervousness, or concentration difficulties.

• Intake of snacks between meals helps to increase calorie intake and satisfy hunger.

For your information
Intake of excessive iodine in the diet, certain iodine medications and some cough syrups may cause the thyroid to produce either too much or too little hormone in some individuals. However, the human system can tolerate relatively large doses of iodine and hyperthyroidism as a response to excess iodine in the diet is very rare.

• Manage your stress as it is one of the triggers of hyperthyroidism – try meditating, practicing tai chi, yoga or prayer therapy. You can also reduce stress by listening to music or taking a long bath.

• Begin an exercise program

• Have regular screenings for hyperthyroidism if there is someone in your immediate family with this disease or you have another autoimmune disease

• Don’t get HYPER, Chill!! Did you know that ice packs on the throat can help to reduce inflammation?

• In short, the best way out is to keep your stress levels at minimum, strict diet control & opt for natural remedies like herbal & homeopathic remedies to keep at the bay the unwanted side-effects.