The only treatment available for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) in allopathy or conventional medicine is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) which compensates the insufficiency of the hormone that the thyroid gland is unable to produce.

Sadly, with Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) in the form of thyroxin products like Eltroxin and Thyronorm or levothyroxine sodium what happens is that the thyroid gland becomes more sluggish because its work is being done from outside, and eventually it stops producing hormones completely and the patient becomes dependent on HRT for life time with increasing doses.

This does not happen with homeopathic treatment, in which we do not give hormonal replacement therapy - homeopathic remedies are given which actually stimulate the thyroid gland to produce normal amounts of hormones, thus curing the problem of hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid from the root.

Most importantly, allopathic treatment of HRT is associated with serious side effects. Scientific studies have suggested the relation between HRT and cancer and several warning have been issued by Government Health Departments. Other side effects, particularly in women, include irregular menstrual cycles, infertility and diseases like ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Some patients on hormone replacement therapy may experience nervousness or chest pain.

In women using HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy) for 5 years, 47 out of 1000 women develop breast cancer and in those using HRT for 10 years, there would be an extra 6 cases i.e. 51 out of 1000, and this goes on increasing. The rate of breast cancer was 26% higher among those receiving HRT as opposed to those getting placebo. The rate for heart disease was 29% higher. HRT increases the risk of stroke (brain attack) by almost a third, a review of clinical trials says - BBC News, 7th January, 2005. Stroke rates were 41% higher and blood clot rates were more than twice as high in those getting HRT - American Cancer Society, 2002.

For the patients suffering from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) symptoms, there are excellent remedies in homeopathy which are prepared from a wide range of natural products and prescribed in extremely minute doses without any side effects.

Hypothyroidism, like most of the other endocrinological (hormonal) disorders cannot be viewed in isolation. It must be viewed as a derangement in the harmony of the entire hormonal balance of the person. Homeopathic remedies for hypothyroidism are chosen to offer individualized treatment based on the study of the patient's underactive thyroid, its extent, cause, genetic pattern, emotional sphere, hormonal imbalance, physical and mental state and so on.

As already mentioned above, homeopathic medicines stimulate the body's own natural healing processes to further stimulate the thyroid gland to perform normally and thus offers long lasting relief rather than giving temporary relief like allopathy's HRT treatment. This is seen from the fact that even after discontinuing homeopathic treatment the patient does not return to the diseased condition.

Results are usually observed within 2 to 5 months of treatment whereby TSH levels reduce. With homeopathic treatment the HRT in the form of Eltroxin or Thyronorm is slowly tapered off i.e. reduced, keeping a watch on thyroid hormone levels, thus saving the patient from serious side effects.

There are 197 homoeopathic medicines which give great relief in hypothyroidsm (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone). However, the correct choice of remedies and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the homeopathic doctor. The treatment is decided after a thorough case taking of the patient. Thus homeopathic treatment of hypothyroidism is designer made for each individual patient unlike allopathy in which all patients receive the same hormonal replacement therapy.

Some of the homeopathic remedies which may be used in a case of hypothyroidism under an expert homeopathic physician are Calcarea carbonicum, Natrum muriaticum, Kalium carbonicum, Iodum, Thyroidinum and so on.

Thus, homeopathy should be the first choice for hypothyroidism because it acts quickly without causing any side effects. It treats the disease from its roots, stimuling the thyroid gland to produce normal amounts of hormones.

For online homeopathic treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone), you may e-mail us on dr_ramanand@rediffmail.com

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) is a condition of insufficient thyroid hormone in the body. It develops when the thyroid gland fails to produce as much thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3) as the body needs.

The main purpose of hormones produced by the thyroid gland is to "run the body's metabolism," and so, it is understandable that people with this hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid would have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism causing damage to organs and tissues of every part of the body and leading to life threatening complications.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom and so on and it is now becoming common even in developing countries like India, China and so on.

This condition is believed to affect as many as 11 million adults and children, yet 2 out of every 3 people with hypothyroidism may not know they have the disease. Symptoms may not appear until years after the thyroid has stopped functioning and they are often mistaken for signs of other illnesses, menopause and ageing.

Hypothyroidism is at least twice as common in women as it is in men. It is most common in women who are middle aged or older, yet the disease can occur at any age.

• Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) : A form of thyroid inflammation caused by damage to thyroid tissue.
• Autoimmune diseases : You are at more risk for hypothyroidism if you have diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, addison's disease, diabetes and so on.
• Surgery : Removal of a part or all of the thyroid is another cause.
• Radioactive iodine therapy.
• Secondary Hypothyroidism : Disorders of pituitary and hypothalamus leading to thyroid hormone deficiency in addition to other hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) mainly depend upon the severity of the hormone deficiency and its duration. For most patients, the symptoms are mild and can often be confused with other problems. The symptoms may include :

• Fatigue, lethargy
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• Muscle aches
• Menstrual irregularities
• Cold intolerance
• Dry, rough, pale skin
• Coarse dry hair
• Depression
• Decreased concentration
• Irritability
• Slower mental processes
• Muscle cramps
• Slow heart rate
• Tingling or numbness in the hands

If left untreated, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid or impaired production of thyroid hormone) can lead to several other health issues :

• Goitre : Enlargement of thyoid gland resulting in swelling in throat, swallowing and breathing problems.
• Heart ailments.
• Mental health : Depression.
• Myxedema : A life threatening condition which results due to prolonged, severe, untreated hypothyroidism.
• Infertility and miscarriages.
• Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects. These kids are also more prone to serious intellectual and developmental problems.

• Diagnosis can be established on the results of tests done to measure the level of T4 and TSH hormones in the blood. Usually thyroid profile is ordered. For Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Anti-TPO antibody testing is done.
• When you are hypothyroid, higher quantities of TSH are circulating in your blood, as your body attempts to foster increased production of thyroid hormones.
• USG (Ultrasonongraphy) of the neck and thyroid can be used to detect any nodules and infiltrative disease/s.

For many people, the Shoulder Stand position, at least once daily for 20 minutes, can help improve overall thyroid function.

Lie on your back and lift your legs up so your hips are off the floor. Then, supporting your hips with your hands, extend your legs vertically and slide your hands along your torso toward your shoulders, with your thumbs at the front of your body and fingers at the back. Make sure your body weight is supported by your shoulders, not your head and neck.

• Avoid peaches, cabbage, soybeans, spinach, peanuts, and radishes, as these foods can interfere with the manufacture of thyoid hormones.
• Supplements of vitamin c, vitamin E, riboflavin (vitamin B2), zinc and niacin (vitamin B3), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and tyrosine might help boost thyroid production.

Aerobic exercise for 15 to 20 minutes a day is excellent for maintaining good thyroid function. Regular physical activity is especially important if you are hypothyroid.