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Natural Medicine for Thyroid Function

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists says 27 million Americans, 80 percent of them female, are affected by a variety of thyroid disorders. Naturopathic practitioners strive to treat the underlying cause of illness through measures ranging from nutrition to hypnosis.

  1. Nutrition

    • Naturopathic practitioners consider poor nutrition and stress to be two primary causes of thyroid dysfunction, according to Marcelle Pick, an ob/gyn nurse practitioner and founder of the Women to Women Health Clinic in Maine. "Healthy thyroid function depends on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid and iodine," she said. These are difficult nutrients to add through a normal diet, so medical quality supplements should be considered.

    Other Nutrients

    • Indulge in foods naturally high in vitamin B such as nuts, seeds and whole grains. Good sources for these include root vegetables, fish and seaweed. Vitamin D supports healthy immune function and metabolism, so exposure to sun rays, around 20 minutes twice a day, is suggested. Those who live in colder climates should consider adding vitamin D supplements to their diet in the winter months.

    Medication

    • A synthetic medication called Synthroid is most often used to treat hypothyroidism, but some naturopathic practitioners propose other more natural medicine for thyroid function. "Physicians with experience in successfully treating thyroid disease will also utilize other alternatives such as natural compounded T3/T4 hormone, Nature-throid or Armour thyroid," says William Nelson, NMD, a naturopathic medical doctor specializing in thyroid disease. "Natural supplements such as l-tyrosine, iodine, bladderwack (a form of sea weed), natural progesterone and adrenal and thyroid glandulars can also stimulate thyroid function."

    Emotional Issues

    • Unresolved emotions may be a significant source of stress. In naturopathic medicine, says Marcelle Pick, "the thyroid reflects a woman's voice in her life. Many women have experienced a "trapped voice," and by the time perimenopause arrives the accumulated effect gives rise to symptoms, including poor thyroid function. Over and over we have seen that when women make progress in using their voices, their thyroid symptoms subside." Guided imagery, meditation and similar deep breathing and relaxation methods are considered helpful naturopathic treatments for this area of thyroid health.

    Alternative Treatment

    • Naturopathic medicine occasionally promotes hypnosis as a tool to deal with some of the emotional problems and stress that can lead to poor thyroid function. The World Health Organizations lists thyroid disorder as one of the 40 conditions that acupuncture may help to treat by alleviating symptoms such as depression, pain and fatigue. Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the body of parasites and toxins that diminish thyroid function and suppress digestion of necessary thyroid nutrients such as manganese, zinc, iodine, thyrosine and selenium. Additionally, point massage, yoga and herbal supplements are all utilized to bring about healthy thyroid function .

    Nodules

    • Nodules grow as the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid, affecting the function of the gland. It is sometimes necessary to take thyroid hormones for this condition. Approximately 5 percent of nodules are cancerous (malignant). One of the most common causes of a thyroid nodule is Hashimoto's disease, which may be brought on by oral contraceptives, food allergies, gastrointestinal infections and heavy metal toxins that exist in the body. Treatment focuses on treating these causes.

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