Hyperthyroidism
How to treat hyperthyroidism naturally.
Looking for a hyperthyroidism / Graves’ disease specialist in Indiana? This page covers:
Understanding your thyroid condition
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, becomes overactive and produces too many thyroid hormones. This excess of hormones can lead to weight loss and difficulty gaining or maintaining weight, even if someone is eating more.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly creates antibodies that overstimulate the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism
A closer look.
Graves’ disease is most common in people between 30 and 50 years old, but it can happen at any age. In fact, women are up to 8 times more likely to get Graves’ disease than men. People with other autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, lupus, Addison’s disease, celiac disease, vitiligo, or type 1 diabetes, also have a higher risk of developing Graves’ disease. Around 25% of people with one autoimmune condition end up with 3 or more, likely due to genetic and environmental factors. Having a family history of Graves’ disease further increases your chances of getting it.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism is when someone has symptoms of an overactive thyroid, even though their standard thyroid test results don’t show it. This happens when thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is low or undetectable, but free thyroxine (T4) and total triiodothyronine (T3) levels are normal.
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease can be tricky. The early signs may not develop until the condition has progressed, and they can sometimes be overlooked or mistaken for other issues.
People with an overactive thyroid may experience a variety of symptoms, including:
- Hair loss
- Bulging eyes
- Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Weight loss, difficulty gaining weight
- Frequent bowel movements
- Thickened skin on shins or feet
- Warm, moist palms
- Trembling hands
- Soft nails
- Difficulty sleeping
- Heat intolerance
- Infertility
- Miscarriage and pregnancy complications
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Scant menstrual periods
The symptoms can vary, with some people experiencing just one or two, while others have a wider range of issues. It’s important to be aware of the potential signs so that proper diagnosis and treatment can happen as early as possible.
Other complications.
If left untreated, hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease can lead to:
- Irregular heartbeat, which may cause blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart conditions
- Graves’ ophthalmopathy, an eye disease that can cause double vision, light sensitivity, eye pain, and vision loss
- Thinning bones and osteoporosis
Root causes of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, can have several potential causes. The most common cause is Graves’ disease, where the immune system enlarges the thyroid and overstimulates hormone production.
Other potential causes:
- Thyroid nodules: Benign lumps in the thyroid that become overactive, more common in older adults.
- Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes stored hormone to leak out. This is usually short-term and followed by hypothyroidism.
- Subacute thyroiditis: Painful inflammation of the thyroid, often triggered by an infection or virus.
- Postpartum thyroiditis: Thyroid inflammation after pregnancy and birth, caused by hormonal and autoimmune disruption.
- Silent thyroiditis: Painless thyroid inflammation, likely autoimmune-related.
- Pituitary tumor: A noncancerous tumor on the pituitary gland can sometimes cause hyperthyroidism.
- Iodine overconsumption: High intake of iodine from sources like salt, seaweed, and processed foods can disrupt thyroid hormone production.
- Thyroid medication: Medicines for hypothyroidism can sometimes lead to an overcorrection and hyperthyroidism.
- Infections or toxicity: Conditions like Epstein-Barr, herpes, and heavy metal toxicity have also been linked to thyroid and immune dysfunction.
- Leaky gut: Having increased intestinal permeability can expose the body to substances that trigger inflammation and autoimmunity.
Conventional treatments for hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
How to treat hyperthyroidism.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent serious complications affecting the heart, eyes, and bones. That’s why it’s important to consult a practitioner experienced in diagnosing and managing hyperthyroidism.
However, identifying hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease can sometimes be tricky. The symptoms mentioned earlier may raise suspicion of an overactive thyroid, and there are several testing options available to confirm the diagnosis.
Blood tests can measure thyroid hormone and antibody levels, but this isn’t always effective for mild cases. Imaging tests like a radioactive iodine uptake test or thyroid ultrasound can also analyze iodine absorption.
For treatment, the first line is usually antithyroid medication, which can lead to remission within a year for about half of patients. If that doesn’t work or the condition relapses, the next steps may involve thyroid removal or radioactive iodine therapy.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatment for hyperthyroidism.
The common underlying factor behind an overactive thyroid is inflammation and immune dysregulation. While simply addressing inflammation is not enough to treat hyperthyroidism, it’s often the first step in regaining control of autoimmune disorders.
Many patients come to BionwoRx hoping to avoid or stop taking medication and surgery. Our practitioner takes a more holistic, proactive, and preventative approach to managing hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
Our practitioner can support your journey with hyperthyroid recovery in several ways, including:
Optimizing nutrition.
Caring for hyperthyroidism goes far beyond simply trying to gain weight. In fact, the foods we choose can either support or worsen autoimmune disorders and thyroid issues. That’s why our practitioners work closely with each patient to determine the optimal diet and supplements for their unique needs.
- Remove Gluten, Grains, and Lentils: Gluten-containing grains like wheat also contain amylase-trypsin inhibitors – plant-derived proteins that naturally protect plants from insects. These proteins, similar to lectins in legumes, can trigger an inflammatory immune response in the gut that may spread throughout the body. To help reduce the systemic inflammation often seen in hyperthyroidism, it’s best to avoid gluten, grains, and lentils.
- Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Iodine: Caffeine and alcohol can aggravate common hyperthyroidism symptoms like anxiety and rapid heartbeat. Additionally, foods high in iodine, such as iodized salt and seaweed, may worsen the condition.
- Increase Minerals and Vitamins: Hyperthyroidism can lead to nutritional deficiencies due to inflammation and an overactive immune system. While multivitamins are popular, they don’t all provide the specific nutrients needed. Our practitioners work with each patient to create a personalized nutritional protocol, which may include thyroid and immune-supporting vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, L-carnitine, and CoQ10.
Improving gut health:
The right proactive approach can further support gut health. Our practitioners can select from a range of probiotics, herbs, and supplements to quell inflammation and enhance the digestive system’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. This is especially important for people experiencing unwanted weight loss, as reducing inflammation naturally improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
Supporting immune health.
Our knowledgeable practitioner leverages functional testing to tailor the best immune-boosting plan for each patient. By combining Vitamin D, omega-3s, and glutathione, they can activate powerful immune modulators that help regulate immune function, calm inflammation, and enhance detoxification – especially beneficial for those with hyperthyroidism.
Remove heavy metals and systemic infections:
We encounter a variety of heavy metals and other toxins that can harm the thyroid, including contaminated water, soil, amalgam fillings, fish, pollution, body products, and the general environment. Chronic infections like Epstein-Barr virus and Ross River fever can also damage immune and thyroid health.
Our practitioner can work with you to identify these potential issues, reduce your exposure to toxins, and address any underlying damage. We’re here to help you navigate these challenges and support your overall health.
At BionwoRx, our practitioner can support you in a variety of ways if you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease. The specific approach we recommend may differ based on your individual circumstances. It’s important to note that self-diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism are not advised, as the long-term effects on your thyroid can be quite serious.
FAQs.
Can hyperthyroidism be caused by pregnancy?
Pregnancy can trigger shifts in hormones like human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and estrogen, which can rev up thyroid function and lead to hyperthyroidism. While this condition often goes away on its own, occurring in 1-2 out of every 1,000 pregnancies, it’s important for pregnant women with hyperthyroid symptoms to get assessed and closely monitored. Thyroid imbalances can cause developmental problems for the baby, and Graves’ disease should also be considered as a potential cause.
Can hyperthyroidism cause joint and muscle pain?
Hyperthyroidism can trigger a range of issues that contribute to joint and muscle pain. For example, an imbalanced gut microbiome, underlying infections, nutrient deficiencies in magnesium, calcium, or vitamin D, and food sensitivities may all play a role.
Additionally, people with the autoimmune condition Graves’ disease have a higher chance of also developing rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disorder manifests as painful, stiff joints.
Can hyperthyroidism cause skin problems?
An overactive thyroid can have a noticeable impact on the skin. It can cause hyperpigmentation (melasma) due to increased release of hormones like pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone. Many people with hyperthyroidism also experience excessive sweating, which can lead to heat rashes in skin folds.
Some individuals with hyperthyroidism may develop a rare skin condition called pretibial myxedema. This presents as red, swollen skin on the shins and tops of the feet.
The autoimmune disorders vitiligo and alopecia areata are also associated with the hyperthyroid autoimmune condition known as Graves’ disease.
How to fix hyperthyroidism naturally?
To address hyperthyroidism, a skilled practitioner will thoroughly investigate a person’s overall health. They’ll explore factors like nutrient status, gut health, infections, immune function, stress, and environmental exposures. This deep, personalized analysis helps uncover the root causes and contributors to the thyroid imbalance. With these insights, the practitioner can create a customized plan to effectively improve the patient’s thyroid function.