Thyroid for Dummies (35 page)

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bladderwrack is suggested for people with an underactive thyroid that is linked with lack of iodine. Short-term studies show that taking kelp as a dietary supplement increases levels of TSH.

Bugleweed

Bugleweed (
Lycopus virginicus
) and its closer relative Gipsywort (
Lycopus
europaeus
) are traditionally used to treat mild forms of hyperthyroidism.

Some research suggests they can reduce production of TSH and lower thyroid hormone levels. They are also used to improve heart function.

Do not take Bugleweed or Gipsywort if you have an underactive thyroid, or if you have thyroid enlargement without changes in thyroid function. Do not take with other thyroid medication. Suddenly stopping these herbs can lead to increased production of TSH and an increase in hyperthyroid symptoms.

These conditions are all good reasons why these (and other herbs) are only used under professional supervision in people with thyroid problems.

Korean ginseng

Korean ginseng (
Panax ginseng
) roots are one of the oldest known herbal medicines, used in the Orient as a revitalising and life-enhancing tonic for over 7,000 years. Ginseng roots contain at least 28 different ginsenosides, some of which are calming and relaxing, while others are more stimulating.

Ginseng helps the body adapt to physical or emotional stress and has a normalising effect on hormone imbalances. Korean ginseng is used to help treat an underactive thyroid gland. Chinese studies suggest that taking ginseng extracts for two weeks can significantly increase T3 and T4 levels. You traditionally take this herb cyclically – for example, in a two weeks on, two weeks off cycle.

Motherwort

Motherwort (
Leonurus cardiaca
) is taken for many different conditions. This herb is used to regulate the heartbeat, and to reduce palpitations and levels of thyroid hormone in people with an overactive thyroid gland. However, people with thyroid problems need careful assessment before using this herb, as it may interfere with orthodox treatment.

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Oats

Oatstraw (
Avena sativa
) is a popular, restorative nerve tonic. It’s used to help treat nervous exhaustion and stress. It helps to boost stamina in people with an underactive thyroid gland, while calming those with an overactive thyroid.

Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng (
Eleutherococcus senticosus
) has similar properties to Korean ginseng. It’s often regarded as an inexpensive substitute for Korean ginseng, but many researchers consider this herb a more remarkable
adaptogen
(helps to normalise body functions) with a higher activity and wider range of therapeutic uses. Siberian ginseng is traditionally used to normalise and support thyroid function whether the gland is overactive or underactive.

Turmeric

Turmeric (
Curcuma longa
) is the orange spice that makes curry mixtures so yellow. It contains an anti-inflammatory substance called
curcumin
that has an action similar to that of the steroid drug, hydrocortisone. Research suggests that turmeric helps to stimulate thyroid function and can increase production of T3 and T4 – even when given together with an antithyroid drug.

Turmeric is used to support thyroid function, especially in people with an underactive gland linked with an autoimmune problem.

Valerian

People with an overactive thyroid gland often have symptoms of anxiety and can experience sleep problems such as insomnia (see chapter 2). Valerian (
Valeriana officinalis
) is one of the most calming herbs available. It calms nervous anxiety and promotes sleep. Valerian contains a number of unique substances (for example, valeric acid) that are thought to raise levels of an inhibitory brain chemical, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), to damp down over-anxiety. Among 125 people in one trial, those taking valerian extracts fell asleep more quickly and woke up less often during the night than those taking a placebo. Another study shows that valerian extracts produce beneficial effects on sleep quality and duration.

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If you wish to take a herbal remedy and have a thyroid problem, always consult a medical herbalist. He can advise which herbs are likely to suit you best, at which dose, without interfering with any medication you’re taking.

Importantly, tell your doctor if you take herbal remedies.

Understanding Homeopathy

Unlike herbal remedies that contain a known quantity of active ingredients, homeopathic remedies do not contain any measurable active ingredients.

They are made according to the homeopathic principles that ‘like cures like’

and ‘less cures more’.

The idea behind homeopathy was developed by Dr Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century. He reasoned that, if large amounts of a substance can cause symptoms of a disease in a healthy person, then very small amounts of the same substance can help the body get better, rather like a vaccine. Tiny amounts of a substance are selected that, if given neat, produce similar symptoms to those they are designed to treat. Instead, they are diluted many hundreds of thousands of times to leave a medicinal ‘footprint’ that prompts the body to heal itself.

Not only does a homeopath find out about your symptoms, he also wants to know about your personality, likes and dislikes, emotions, family history, and what makes your symptoms better, or worse. This information helps to pin-point your constitutional type – which has a bearing on which remedies suit you best.

Discovering homeopathic remedies

Homeopathic remedies are derived from a variety of sources: leaves, berries, fruits, bark, roots, minerals, and sometimes animals – even snakes and spiders!

In keeping with the idea that small amounts are best, remedies are diluted over and over again. And each time they’re diluted, they are shaken and struck in a special way known as
succussion
. The more they are diluted, shaken, and struck, the stronger they are. In fact, a homoeopathic remedy may only contain one part per million of the active ingredient that is believed to leave behind a molecular memory within the water molecules used for dilution, in a similar way that a musical memory is recorded in iron molecules on a magnetic tape.

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Remedies are rated according to their potency. When one drop of the medicinal substance is shaken and struck into 99 drops of
diluent
(the liquid in which it is being dissolved), the remedy has a potency rating of 1c. If one drop is taken out of this mixture and added to 99 drops of new diluent, the new remedy has a potency rating of 2c. If one drop of the 2c remedy is then diluted with 99 drops of a new diluent, the potency rating rises to 3c, and so on.

ߜ
Low potency remedies:
Up to 6c, are used when only physical symptoms or severe changes in the disease state exist.

ߜ
Medium potency remedies:
From 12c to 30c, are used when physical and mental or emotional symptoms exist.

ߜ
High potency remedies:
Up to 200c or greater, are used when the problem is long-standing or severe.

Taking a remedy

When you have a thyroid problem, see a trained homeopath who can assess your constitutional type as well as your symptoms before deciding which treatment is right for you.

Homeopathic medicines are ideally taken on their own, without eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes before or afterwards. Tablets are also taken without handling – tip them into the lid of the container, or onto a teaspoon to transfer them to your mouth. Then suck or chew them, don’t swallow them whole.

When taking homeopathic remedies, avoid drinking strong tea or coffee if possible as these may interfere with the homeopathic effect.

Occasionally, symptoms initially get worse before they get better. This stage is known as
aggravation
. Although aggravation is uncommon, try to persevere as it’s a good sign that the remedy is working. After completing a course of homoeopathy, you usually feel better in yourself with a greatly improved sense of wellbeing that lets you cope with any remaining symptoms in a more positive way.

The following remedies are often suggested for people with thyroid problems, and are taken together with any prescribed drugs they need.

Arsenicum album

Made from the white, poisonous metallic salt, arsenic oxide, this remedy is useful for anxiety, diarrhoea, and burning heat. It’s especially helpful for people whose constitutional type is associated with thinness, worry lines, 22_031727 ch16.qxp 9/6/06 10:47 PM Page 204

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restlessness, and with quick movements. These symptoms and signs are similar to those that can occur with hyperthyroidism, in fact. Sometimes, the remedy is also suggested for people with an underactive thyroid gland.

Iodum

As its name suggests, iodum is made from iodine. Iodum is mainly used to treat symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid gland, including eye pain, enlarged goitre, and a ravenous appetite together with a tendency to lose weight and sweat a lot.

Belladonna

Belladonna is made from the herb, deadly nightshade (
Atropa belladonna
).

It’s used to treat complaints with a sudden onset, including fever, staring eyes, and a red, hot, flushed face. This property makes Belladonna suitable for some people with an overactive thyroid gland.

Natrum Mur

Natrum muriaticum
is made from sodium chloride – common table salt. It has a wide range of uses, including constipation, general feelings of illness, chilli-ness, and slowing down. This remedy is useful for people with an underactive thyroid gland, especially if their constitutional type is associated with pale-ness, puffiness, seriousness, and slow movements.

If you find a herbal or homeopathic remedy helpful, let your doctor know.

This feedback may encourage your doctor to suggest a natural approach to another patient who continues to have problems while using orthodox medicine alone.

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Part IV

Special

Considerations in

Thyroid Health

"We think your husband's overactive

state is due to hyperthyroidism."

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In this part . . .

Certain groups are affected differently from the rest of us by thyroid disease. These include pregnant

women, children, and elderly people. Their special needs are taken up in this part.

Also, we talk you through the genetic link to thyroid diseases and what scientists are doing to try to prevent their transmission from one generation to the next.

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Chapter 17

Examining the Genetic Link

to Thyroid Disease

In This Chapter

ᮣ Grasping the basics of genetics

ᮣ Discovering how your genes impact your thyroid

ᮣ Planning for the prevention of thyroid disease

Chapters 2, 5, and 6 introduce you to several members of one family: Sarah, Margaret, Stacy, Karen, and Tammy. The reason these five women all come from the same prestigious family is that thyroid diseases are often hereditary. Many (though not all) thyroid diseases have a genetic link.

This chapter discusses the various thyroid diseases you can inherit and how they pass from one generation to the next. Progress in understanding the inheritance of thyroid disease is nothing short of amazing, but all this new information makes the subject pretty complicated.

In all honesty, this subject isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you’re interested in knowing how your genes promote the development of certain diseases, this chapter is perfect for tickling your intellect. If you’re reading this book solely to determine how to treat your present thyroid condition, you may want to skip this chapter entirely. But, even if the term genetics strikes fear in your heart, you may find the end of the chapter (the section called ‘The Future of Managing Hereditary Thyroid Disease’) interesting as it tells you about the exciting ways in which scientists are attempting to prevent thyroid disease and many other conditions with a genetic basis.

Genetics for Beginners

To understand how genetic disease affects the thyroid, you need a basic understanding of genetics. This section provides all the background you 24_031727 ch17.qxp 9/6/06 10:44 PM Page 208

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need, though as it’s not a book about genetics, this section is as brief as possible while still giving you the essentials.

A monk and his pea plants

Although he didn’t achieve celebrity status during his lifetime, Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, is the starting point for all the great discoveries in genetics, the science of heredity. Mendel studied pea plants, looking at how various characteristics of these plants are passed on, such as height, seed texture (smooth or wrinkled), pod shape (plump or pinched) and so on.