Can a person abstain from taking medication and rely on alternative medicine to treat thyroid disease? It may depend on the severity of the disease. If the person has a thyroid goiter, they may need and want to have the goiter removed by a plastic surgeon as part of treatment. This would be a very rare case. Most cases of thyroid disease can be improved and treated with some form of alternative medicine.
The most serious type of thyroid disease is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system is overloaded and attacks the thyroid gland. The natural treatment for this and other forms of autoimmune disease is to take large amounts of the amino acid NAC or N-acetylcysteine. It is anti-aging and combats the accumulation of free radicals in the body. It needs selenium and vitamin E present for its complete assimilation in the body. This amino acid is very good for the liver. Tyrosine is another amino acid that helps the thyroid gland.
Thyroid disease can be treated and cured with alternative medicine therapy, acupuncture, herbs, orthomolecular medicine, animal glandular supplements, and bioidentical hormones. Amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and botanicals are affordable and used in therapeutic doses much higher than levels normally found in nature. The concept of orthomolecular medicine is based on the use of large doses of vitamins, minerals, amino acids or botanical extracts for cell repair. Alternative Medicine encompasses many therapies that can benefit people with thyroid disease.
Porcine thyroid gland or desiccated thyroid can be found in prescription medications such as Armor Thyroid, Nathroid, and Westhroid. Enzymatic Therapy makes a product that is an organic thyroid glandular supplement. There are several organic brands available and they come in bovine and porcine forms. These are quite affordable and need to be taken long term. Low thyroid can lead to other health problems, including secondary infections such as sinusitis or bronchitis, mental confusion, concentration problems, poor memory, infertility problems, fatigue, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight problems. Long-term thyroid problems often put stress on the adrenal acorns. It may be necessary to support adrenal function with an adrenal gland product for three months.
Chinese medicine is very good for treating thyroid disease. Acupuncture and moxa can be used to treat a low thyroid. Chinese herbal patent formulas for treating low thyroid or hypothyroidism include Tou Gui Wan, Si Ni Tang, and Zhen Wu Tang. This therapy will be necessary for at least several months to balance your endocrine system. Orthomolecular medicine can also treat hypothyroidism with ginseng, reishi, royal jelly, peony, ginger, astragulus, and ashwaganda.
Chinese herbal formulas are good for treating excess Yang hyperthyroidism with Yin deficient heat. Patented high thyroid formulas include Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, and Zhi Zi Qing Gan Tang. Chinese medicine focuses on the heart and kidneys to treat thyroid disease. Acupuncture is wonderful for calming the hyperactive symptoms of hyperthyroid disease. Orthomolecular medicine can also use Kava, St John’s Wort, and valerian to treat hyperthyroid disease.
Diet changes can be very important in helping to control thyroid disorders. Include seaweed and fresh seaweed in your diet along with cold-water fish at least three times a week. Avoid foods that contain MSG and food additives. Reduce the nicotine and alcohol in your diet and increase the fresh juice. Fresh watermelon juice and spinach juice are very healthy options. Increase foods high in potassium. Don’t eat large amounts of kale, Brussels sprouts, or other cruciferous vegetables.
Orthomolecular medicine uses various supplements to improve thyroid function, including zinc, vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, iodine, and B vitamins. Individual herbs, amino acids, and herbal formulas need the right nutrients as cofactors to properly treat the symptoms.
© Dr. R Stone, MD-India
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