Remedies and Alternative Treatment for Hyperthyroidism

Here is a list of alternative remedies and treatment for hyperthyroidism. It also includes suggestions for hyperthyroidism diet, thyroid supplements and herbal remedies for hyperthyroidism. Let's first find out what is hyperthyroidism, what are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and what are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism or also referred to as overactive thyroid is a condition in which the thyroid produces too much thyroxine or T4 which is one of the thyroid hormones. Mild hyperthyroidism is treatable but severe overactive thyroid can lead to serious health problems such as very high blood pressure, heart problem, rapid heartbeat, sleeping difficulties, pounding pulse and eye problems.

There are many hyperthyroidism symptoms but a person with an overactive thyroid usually doesn't notice the early signs of thyroid problems because they can mimic other conditions and diseases. Some of the common signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are unexplained weight loss, fatigue, frequent bowel movements, muscle weakness, nervousness, inability to concentrate, heat intolerance, itchiness and increased sweating. Women may experience irregular menstrual periods and men may experience impotence.

The possible hyperthyroidism causes include getting too much iodine in your body, thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid due to an infection, a non-malignant growth in the thyroid or pituitary gland or due to taking too much thyroid hormone. But a majority of hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves disease which is an autoimmune disorder.

Heredity is also one of the causes of hyperthyroidism. And if the pituitary gland is not functioning properly, it will also affect the production of thyroid hormones. This is because the pituitary gland produces TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone which determines the rate of which T4 and T3 hormones are released. The thyroid hormones are involved in regulating metabolism. The symptoms show up when the hormone levels are imbalanced.

If you suspect that you have hyperthyroidism, you should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis, advice and treatment. The normal treatments for hyperthyroidism include liquid radioactive iodine prescription, beta blockers or the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. The side effects of these treatments include developing hypothyroidism and having to replace thyroid hormone for the rest of your life.

This list of alternative treatment for hyperthyroidism may help you correct thyroid hormone levels imbalance and to reduce the symptoms. But do check with your doctor first especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking prescription medications.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism No. 1 - Alternative remedies for hyperthyroidism

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine and an old healing practice. It involves the use of needles which are inserted on certain points on the body. It is believed that acupuncture helps by unblocking the energy flow which is the cause of pain and diseases. It also stimulates the body's natural pain killing chemicals.

Since hyperthyroidism is also stress related, any form of mind body therapy would help treat the cause. An alternative treatment for hyperthyroidism is using emotional freedom technique or EFT. In EFT, you use your fingers to tap on certain points on your body to release emotional issues that are believed to be the cause of many physical pain and ailments. For more information on EFT, click on the tapping solution insiders' club.

Other alternative treatments for hyperthyroidism include meditation, relaxation technique and therapeutic massage. You can check this link for remedies to reduce stress.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism No. 2 - Herbal remedies for hyperthyroidism

Consider trying thyroid soothe. This natural herbal remedy uses natural herbal extracts namely bugleweed, lemon balm, motherwort and prunella vulgaris to calm, soothe and normalize overactive thyroid.

Taking lemon balm supplement or green tea extract daily may also help normalize an overactive thyroid.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism No. 3 - Hyperthyroidism diet

One of the ways to treat overactive thyroid is to reduce the intake of iodine. This means avoiding certain foods such as egg, cheese, iodized salt, kelp, sea salt and seafood. Another method is to eat foods that interfere with the body's use of iodine. Some examples are Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and turnips. Foods that block or interfere with iodine metabolism also include cassava and millet.

Include foods that are rich source of zinc because hyperthyroidism depletes zinc from your body. Foods that are rich source of zinc include chicken, turkey, fruit yogurt, cashew nuts, peanuts, baked beans and chickpeas.

Antioxidant rich foods such as artichokes, bell peppers, blueberries, beans, cherries, hazelnuts, tomatoes, squash and walnut are beneficial to fight oxidative stress caused by hyperthyroidism. Include herbs and spices such as cloves, cinnamon and oregano as they also produce antioxidant activities.

A hyperthyroidism diet should also include calcium and some examples of non-dairy foods rich in calcium are almonds, baked beans, collard green, peas, rhubarb, salmon and sesame seeds.

Since hyperthyroidism symptoms include losing weight, include protein in your diet. Protein helps in providing energy, increase bone density and build muscle mass. Roasted pumpkin seeds, lentils, roasted peanuts, kidney beans, lean sirloin and chickpeas are some examples of foods rich in protein.

Make sure your diet also include foods rich in vitamin B and iron such as bananas, potatoes, liver, lean meat, dried fruits, beans, whole grains and green vegetables.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism No. 4 - Thyroid supplement

If you are an adult and not pregnant or breastfeeding, your body needs about 8mg of zinc a day. Adult male's recommended dietary allowance is 11mg per day. If you are not getting this amount of zinc in your diet, consider taking zinc supplement.

Studies found that L-carnitine is lost from the body through the urine in hyperthyroid patients. Taking L-carnitine supplement will then help treat hyperthyroidism symptoms such as muscle weakness, nervousness, sleep difficulties and weight loss. It may also prevent thyroid storm which is a severe and life threatening condition caused by excessive thyroid hormone.

According to researchers, hyperthyroidism burns up coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10. A shortage of CoQ10 will affect the heart's ability to pump blood which can lead to heart failure. Taking coenzyme Q10 supplement would be a beneficial especially for women who are hyperthyroids.

Since hyperthyroidism causes your metabolism to malfunction, take calcium supplement to assist the process.

Other beneficial supplements are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. These vitamins and mineral may help offset the oxidative stress as a result of hyperthyroidism.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism No. 5 - Habits, beverages and foods to avoid with hyperthyroidism

If you are taking thyroid hormone medication, avoid taking iron and soy products because they may interfere with the hormone absorption. You should also avoid caffeine, caffeinated beverages and other stimulants to treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as sleeping difficulty.

Avoid or reduce eating red meat, processed foods, refined foods and trans-fat from your diet. And eliminate foods and supplements that contain iodine. It is also advisable to reduce or quit smoking.

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