|
|
|
| Also Listed As: |
Thyroid, Overactive |
| |
|
|
|
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland, located at
the front of your neck, produces too much thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism has three forms that share several symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism usually happens between the ages of 20 and 40.
It often starts after times of extreme stress or during
pregnancy.
|
|
|
| Signs and Symptoms |
|
- Fast heart rate and palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Swelling at the base of the neck
- Moist skin and increased perspiration
- Shakiness and tremor
- Nervousness and confusion
- Increased appetite accompanied by weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Swollen, reddened, and bulging eyes
- Constant stare (infrequent blinking, lid lag)
- Sensitivity of eyes to light
- Occasionally, raised, thickened skin over the shins, back
of feet, back, hands, or even face
- In crisis: fever, very rapid pulse, agitation, and
possibly delirium
- Changes in menstrual periods
|
|
|
| What Causes It? |
|
|
Researchers suspect that Graves' disease (one form of
hyperthyroidism) stems from an antibody that mistakenly
stimulates the thyroid to produce too much hormone. Toxic
nodular goiter is caused by a noncancerous tumor in nodules that
make up the thyroid gland. Secondary hyperthyroidism results
when a gland called the pituitary overrides the thyroid's normal
instructions, and orders it to make too much thyroid hormone.
|
|
|
| What to Expect at Your
Provider's Office |
|
|
Your health care provider will ask you to extend your fingers
to see if you have a telltale tremor. Your provider will also
examine your thyroid gland while you swallow. You will have
blood drawn and may need X rays.
|
|
|
| Treatment
Options |
|
|
| Drug Therapies |
|
|
Your health care provider will most likely prescribe a single
dose of liquid radioactive iodine, which calms down your thyroid
gland. Alternatively, your provider may give you
thyroid-depressive medication. You may also be prescribed
beta-blockers. If drug treatment fails, you may need surgery to
remove part of your thyroid.
|
|
|
| Complementary and
Alternative Therapies |
|
|
Alternative therapies may be effective at minimizing symptoms
of mild thyroid dysfunction.
|
|
|
| Nutrition |
|
|
Foods that depress the thyroid include broccoli, cabbage,
brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, turnips, soy,
beans, and mustard greens. Avoid refined foods, dairy products,
wheat, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help your
immune system function properly.
- Bromelain (250 to 500 mg three times per day between
meals) reduces swelling.
- Vitamin
C (250 to 500 mg twice a day) supports immune function
and decreases inflammation.
- Calcium
(1,000 mg per day) and magnesium (200 to 600 mg per day) are
cofactors for many metabolic processes.
- Vitamin
E (400 IU twice a day) can help protect the heart.
- Coenzyme
Q10 (50 mg twice a day) can help protect the heart.
|
|
|
| Herbs |
|
|
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders,
teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol
extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with
1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes
for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to
4 cups per day. For best results, these herbs should be used
under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
- Bugleweed (Lycopus virginica) and lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis) help to normalize the overactive
thyroid. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) may relieve
heart palpitations and passionflower (Passiflora
incarnata) reduces anxiety. Combine two parts of
bugleweed with one part each of lemon balm, motherwort, and
passionflower and take in tincture form, 30 to 60 drops
three to four times per day.
- Quercetin (250 to 500 mg three times per day) is an
anti-inflammatory.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) makes the effects of
bromelain stronger and should be taken between meals, 500 mg
three times per day.
- Milk thistle (Silibum marianum) helps the liver
provide proper binding proteins, 300 to 600 mg three times a
day.
- Hawthorn berry (Crataegus laevigata) helps protect
the heart. Take ¼ tsp. of the solid extract, or 1,000 mg of
the herb, three times a day.
- Lemon balm inhibits the binding of thyroid-stimulating
hormones (TSH) receptors.
- Immune-suppressing herbs such as Stephania root (Stephania
tetranda) and Indian sarsaprilla (Hemidesmus indicus)
help break the circle of cellular damage.
- Anti-inflammatory herbs such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza
glabra) and Chinese foxglove (Rehmania glutinosa)
support the adrenals as well.
|
|
|
|
The
Whole Story