Dr. Alka Vijayan
January is observed as Thyroid Awareness Month on a global scale. Thyroid Federation International focuses on the importance of thyroid health and the necessity of early detection. Over the last many years, food and lifestyle has disrupted thyroid health. Studies show that in India about 42 million people suffer from thyroid diseases, the five most common ones being hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goitre, iodine deficiency disorders, Hashimoto’s disease and thyroid cancer.
Synthetic pills are usually prescribed, to be taken on a daily, lifelong basis, to alleviate symptoms. But Ayurveda provides a way to manage the disease by correcting diet and lifestyle, enabling the patient a chance to function without disruptions that otherwise are unaddressed.
Common Types of Thyroid Disorders & Symptoms
Hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid activity) and hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid activity) are the two most common types of thyroid disorders. The small, butterfly-shaped thyroid gland plays a key role in a person’s well-being. A dip in energy levels and weight gain/loss are some of the most prominent signs of a thyroid disorder.This is because a thyroid dysfunction leads to fluctuating TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels, which affects energy levels and causes poor brain function. Those suffering from thyroid disorders are also prone to mood swings. This is owing to the presence of low serotonin levels.
The synthetic pill keeps TSH and TFT (Thyroid Function Test) levels in check but oftentimes the associated symptoms, as listed below, remain the same:
1) Sudden weight gain/loss
2) Brain fog
3) Excessive sleep
4) Fatigue
5) Constipation or diarrhoea – erratic bowel movement is an everyday occurrence
6) Water retention in body or puffy face
7) Speech jam or not being able to recollect the exact word despite knowing it
8) Dysregulated gut health – extreme lack or increase of appetite, called vishamagni in Ayurveda
The disruption occurs at the emotional and cognitive level, common symptoms of the former being depression, anxiety, palpitation, negativity and overthinking. Under the latter, vascular dementia or short term memory loss, losing track of one’s thoughts are all related to these two thyroid disorders.
Ayurvedic Management of Thyroid Disorders
As with all treatments in Ayurveda, here too, a doctor or vaidya begins from gut health reinstatement. TSH or TFT values are corrected as a result of overall improvement in health.
By working on gut health or agni, the digestive fire, brain functioning (gut-brain axis correction), metabolism (weight gain or weight loss) and body weight is stabilised, clarity of senses is attained and bowel movement becomes normal.
Compromised cognitive ability leading to speech jam and brain fog also shows a gut-brain malfunction which can be treated with Ayurveda. When appetite is erratic, correction of the agni or digestive fire indicative of gut health resolves the problem. Weight gain is experienced in about 70% of the population with hypothyroidism while the rest have weight loss. A hampered metabolism rate can lead to gaining or losing weight despite being on the hormone pill if the thyroid is not functioning optimally.
In Ayurveda, treatment is prescribed depending on the individual’s constitution or prakriti, known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The treatment protocol is designed to observe if the disorder can be reversed or managed. Reversal, in three-steps, begins with anti-inflammatory management, gut & thyroid reboot and restorative treatment (rasayana).
We also receive patients who opt for disease management so that it is not as extensive and they can continue having the pill. In such cases, herbs such as ashwagandha, gokshura, haritaki etc., are prescribed to be taken in specific formats. Correcting the gut-brain axis leads to improved gut health apart from the intake of appropriate medicines.
I conclude with two significant messages: one is that thyroid disorders are not to be neglected, and the second is that there is hope in Ayurveda!
Authors Biography
Dr. Alka Vijayan (BAMS, PGDCND, PG Diploma Yoga) runs an independent practice at TANMATRA Ayurveda(Thiruvananthapuram). She specialises in Thyroid hormone dysfunction, gynaecology ailments and gut health reinstatement. She has practised under senior vaidyas and in remote tribal settlements, gaining exposure to a range of cases.
