Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea). One of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism (the process that turns food into energy). These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
Many of the body’s functions slow down when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones. Having a low level of thyroid hormone affects your whole body. It can make you feel tired and weak. If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can raise your cholesterol levels. During pregnancy, untreated hypothyroidism can harm your baby.
CAUSES OF THYROID
Most cases of an under active thyroid are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by damage that occurs as a result of treatments for thyroid cancer or an overactive thyroid.
An under active thyroid often occurs when the immune system, which usually fights infection, attacks the thyroid gland. This damage the thyroid, which means it’s not able to make enough of the hormone thyroxine E.g. as in Hashimoto’s disease
An underactive thyroid can also occur as a side effect or complication of previous treatment to the thyroid gland, such as surgery or a treatment called radioactive iodine therapy.
A lack of dietary iodine is a common cause of an underactive thyroid, because the body needs iodine to make thyroxine. Babies are sometimes born with an underactive thyroid because the thyroid gland doesn’t develop properly in the womb. This is called congenital hypothyroidism and is uncommon, affecting around 1 in 3,000 babies. A problem with the pituitary gland could lead to an underactive thyroid.
An underactive thyroid has also been linked to some viral infections or some medications used to treat other conditions, such as:
- Llithium – a medication sometimes used to treat certain mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder
- Amiodarone – a medication sometimes used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
- Interferons – a class of medication sometimes used to treat certain types of cancer and hepatitis C
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SYMPTOMS OF THYROID
Hypothyroidism can cause many different symptoms, such as:
- Feeling tired, weak, or depressed
- Dry skin and brittle nails
- Not being able to stand the cold
- Constipation
- Memory problems or having trouble thinking clearly
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Homeopathy helps in alleviating the symptoms associated with the condition. Hypothyroidism being a constitutional disorder calls for an in-depth constitutional approach for its management. The science of homeopathy is based on the concept that disease is total affliction of body and may find its local expression at the level of certain organs.
The remedy prescribed based on this entire totality treats the disorder at its root cause and thus restores the normal functioning of the body. Homeopathy works better in the early and mild cases of Hypothyroidism and not in chronic and severe cases.
Homeopathic treatment is targeted towards UPROOTING THE DISEASE and ensuring health with no side effects. For prescribing to an individual, a PLAN OF TREATMENT is followed which involves:
- GETTING THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF CASE which includes complete case taking (analyzing patient as an individual) along with patient history and family history
- DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENT AND DISEASE
- INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CASE
- PRESCRIBING THE MOST SUITABLE INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY