Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid disease) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t make and release enough hormones into your bloodstream. The condition slows down your metabolism, making you gain weight unexpectedly or feel tired all the time.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Tiredness
- More sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarse voice
- Coarse hair and skin
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Menstrual cycles that are heavier than usual or irregular
- Thinning hair
- Slowed heart rate, also called bradycardia
- Depression
- Memory problems
CAUSES
- Autoimmune disease
- Radiation therapy
- Thyroid surgery
- Thyroiditis
- Medicine
- Problems present at birth
- Pituitary disorder
- Pregnancy
- Not enough iodine
RISK FACTORS
- Women
- Have a family history of thyroid disease.
- Pregnant or delivered a baby in the past 6 months.
- Have an autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes or celiac disease.
- Have received treatment for hyperthyroidism.
- Received radiation to your neck or upper chest.
- Have had thyroid surgery
COMPLICATIONS
- Goiter
- Heart problems
- Birth defects
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Infertility
- Myxedema coma
- Mental disorders
HYPOTHYROIDISM IN AYURVEDA
When the pathogenesis and symptoms of hypothyroidism are correlated into Ayurveda, it can be understood on the lines of the below conditions
- Udanavrita Samana
- Kaphavrita Udana
- Pathological increase of kapha
- Medoroga
- Agnimandya
Hypothyroidism should be understood on the basis of vitiation of doshas, tissues and channels involved in pathogenesis of the disease and also its predominant symptoms as understood from Ayurveda perspective.
TREATMENT PRINCIPLES
- Deepana
- Pachana
- Sroto shodhana
- Kapha vata shamana
PANCHAKARMA TREATMENT MODALITIES
- Basti karma
- Udwarthana
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Nasya
- Dhumapana
- Puranaghritha pana
MEDICATIONS
Useful herbs:-
- Kanchanara – Kanchanara when administered has enhanced the thyroid functions. Bark extract of its variant i.e. Bauhinia purpurea Linn increased serum T3 and T4.
- Ashwagandha – Withania somnifera – has shown to lower cortisol and balance thyroid hormones.
- Shigru – Moringa oleifera – Its extracts have shown maximum percentage increase in hormone concentration of T3 and T4.
- Varuna – Crataeva nurvula – It has antitumor properties and can be readily administered in thyroid swellings and goiter.
- Guggulu – Commiphora mukul – shown to raise the levels of T3 and T4.
FOODS TO AVOID
Goitrogens – These are compounds which may interfere with normal function of thyroid gland.
Common foods which contain goitrogens are –
- Vegetables – cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach.
- Fruits and starchy plants – sweet potatoes, cassava, strawberries, peaches.
- Nuts and seeds – millet, pine nuts, peanuts.
- Soy foods – tofu, tempeh.
People with hypothyroidism should avoid goitrogens. Cooking foods with goitrogens may inactivate these compounds.
FOODS TO EAT
Fruits – All other fruits apart from those avoidable shall be used. These include berries, bananas, tomatoes, and oranges.
Vegetables – When cooked all vegetables (cruciferous vegetables) are good enough to eat in moderate quantities.
Eggs – Much of iodine and selenium are found in egg yolk and proteins in whites. Therefore, using whole eggs is best.
Dairy products – milk, cheese, yoghurt, buttermilk.
Gluten free grains and seeds – rice, flax seeds, chia seeds, buckwheat.
Fish – all types of seafood including salmon, tuna, halibut.
Meat – All meats including lamb, chicken shall be used
Beverages – water, non caffeinated beverages, fresh fruit juices
IMPORTANT YOGA POSTURES FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM
- Sarvangasana – Shoulder stand
- Viparita Karani Asana – Inverted Pose
- Janu Sirsasana – Seated Head to Knee pose
- Matsyasana – Fish pose
- Halasana – plough pose
- Marjariasana – cat-cow stretch
- Surya Namaskara – Sun salutation
- Pranayama – Kapalabhati, Ujjayi Pranayama, Bhastrika, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS
- Varanadi kashayam
- Hamsapathyadi kashayam
- Kanchanara guggulu
- Chitrakadi vati
- Aswagandha churnam
- Varadi/Triphaladi kashayam
- Indukantam kashayam
- Nityananda rasa
- Yastimadhu capsule
- Dhatri loha
- Pachanamrutham kashayam
- Guggulu thikthakam kashayam
- Ashtavarga kashayam
- Panchakola churnam
- Vaiswanara churnam
- Shiva gutika
- Ksheerabala for external application on thyroid
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats
- Limit processed foods, refined sugars, and high-fat foods
- Eat iodine-rich foods like seaweed, fish, dairy, and iodized salt
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Regular physical activity can help regulate hormone levels and boost metabolism
- Try moderate- to high-intensity aerobic exercise and strength training
- Yoga help reduce stress and improve thyroid function
- Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness-based stress reduction can help reduce stress
- Get enough sleep, ideally 7-8 hours per night
- Limit environmental toxins like pollutants, chemicals, and heavy metals
- Prioritize regular check-ups to detect potential thyroid issues early
- Use a basic moisturizer to prevent dry skin
AYURDHAMA TREATMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES
- Initial Consultation with Ayurveda Doctor and daily follow up consultation
- Accommodation
- All Ayurvedic Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Supper) & herbal drink.
- Advice on Diet & Lifestyle Management
- Ayurveda Therapies – Customized for each client.
- Yoga (once a day – Yoga Asanas, Breathing, Meditation and Relaxation)
Pathya (Restrictions) during Treatment Package:
During these treatment Clients should strictly follow the Pathyas (restrictions)
- Only very light and warm food is allowed, Only warm water for drinking and bathing
- No coffee and Black tea
- No Non veg food (meat – All types, Fish and eggs)
- No Alcoholic drinks
- No exertion (mentally and physically)
- No Day sleep
RESERVATION DETAILS
- We are committed to keep up the quality of our treatment programs and we take only a limited number of patients each month.
- So we advise you to reserve your treatment programs a minimum one month in advance.
- The 50% charges of the treatment programs should be paid in advance to reserve the treatment programs.
- The advance deposit will be deducted from the total treatment programs and the balance must be paid on the first day of the treatment program.