HOMOEOPATHY FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of the thyroid. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It produces tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are two primary hormones that control how your cells use energy. Your thyroid gland regulates your metabolism through the release of these hormones.

Thyroid hormones  maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of protein. Your thyroid also produces a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood (calcitonin).

Hyperthyroidism  occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body's metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Causes

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a number of conditions, including Graves' disease, Plummer's disease and thyroiditis.

·       Graves' disease. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies produced by your immune system stimulate your thyroid to produce too much T4. It's the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

·       Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules (toxic adenoma, toxic multinodular goiter or Plummer's disease). This form of hyperthyroidism occurs when one or more adenomas of your thyroid produce too much T4. An adenoma is a part of the gland that has walled itself off from the rest of the gland, forming noncancerous (benign) lumps that may cause an enlargement of the thyroid.

·       Thyroiditis. Sometimes your thyroid gland can become inflamed after pregnancy, due to an autoimmune condition or for unknown reasons. The inflammation can cause excess thyroid hormone stored in the gland to leak into your bloodstream. Some types of thyroiditis may cause pain, while others are painless.

Symptoms

Hyperthyroidism can mimic other health problems, which can make it difficult for your doctor to diagnose. It can also cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including:

·       Unintentional weight loss, even when your appetite and food intake stay the same or increase

·       Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute

·       Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

·       Pounding of your heart (palpitations)

·       Increased appetite

·       Nervousness, anxiety and irritability

·       Tremor — usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers

·       Sweating

·       Changes in menstrual patterns

·       Increased sensitivity to heat

·       Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements

·       An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck

Older adults are more likely to have either no signs or symptoms or subtle ones, such as an increased heart rate, heat intolerance and a tendency to become tired during ordinary activities.

Graves' ophthalmopathy

Sometimes an uncommon problem called Graves' ophthalmopathy may affect your eyes, especially if you smoke. This disorder makes your eyeballs protrude beyond their normal protective orbits when the tissues and muscles behind your eyes swell. Eye problems often improve without treatment.

Signs and symptoms of Graves' ophthalmopathy include:

·       Dry eyes

·       Red or swollen eyes

·       Excessive tearing or discomfort in one or both eyes

·       Light sensitivity, blurry or double vision, inflammation, or reduced eye movement

·       Protruding eyeballs

Risk factors

Risk factors for hyperthyroidism, include:

·       A family history, particularly of Graves' disease

·       Female sex

·       A personal history of certain chronic illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia and primary adrenal insufficiency

Complications

Hyperthyroidism can lead to a number of complications:

·       Heart problems. Some of the most serious complications of hyperthyroidism involve the heart. These include a rapid heart rate, a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation that increases your risk of stroke, and congestive heart failure — a condition in which your heart can't circulate enough blood to meet your body's needs.

·       Brittle bones. Untreated hyperthyroidism can also lead to weak, brittle bones (osteoporosis). The strength of your bones depends, in part, on the amount of calcium and other minerals they contain. Too much thyroid hormone interferes with your body's ability to incorporate calcium into your bones.

·       Eye problems. People with Graves' ophthalmopathy develop eye problems, including bulging, red or swollen eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurring or double vision. Untreated, severe eye problems can lead to vision loss.

·       Red, swollen skin. In rare cases, people with Graves' disease develop Graves' dermopathy. This affects the skin, causing redness and swelling, often on the shins and feet.

·       Thyrotoxic crisis. Hyperthyroidism also places you at risk of thyrotoxic crisis — a sudden intensification of your symptoms, leading to a fever, a rapid pulse and even delirium. If this occurs, seek immediate medical care.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When hyperthyroidism   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

IODIUM 1000—Iodium is one of the top remedies for hyperthyroidism with rapid metabolism. Iodium is suited to exceedingly thin, dark complexioned with enlarged lymphatic glands, has voracious appetite but gets thin. Emaciation, weight loss with great appetite. Hungry with much thirst. Better after eating. Eat every few hours. Get anxious or worried if he does not eat.  Better while eating or after eating. Great debility , the slightest effort induces perspiration, cannot talk, becomes out of breath going up stairs. Palpitations, worse least exertion. Feel always hot. Anxiety when quiet. Anxiety about present and depression, no reference to the future.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200—Natrum muriaticum is another best remedy for hyperthyroidism , with mood changes.  Depression. The person is depressed and introverted. Marked disposition to weep. Sad weeping mood , without cause, but consolation from other aggravates her troubles. Cannot cry in front of others.  Great irritability. Natrum mur person cannot bear the heat of sun. Severe headache from  sunrise to sun set. Great emaciation, losing flesh while eating well, especially in neck.  Heart rate increased. Menses suppressed. Craving for salt and salty foods is characteristic to Natrum muriaticum.

LACHESIS 200—Lachesis is best for hyperthyroidism, where it is adapted to thin , slender and emaciated than to fleshy persons and those who have been changed both mentally and physically by their illness.  Mentally the person is sad in the morning , no desire to mix with the world. They are nervous and excitable. Great loquacity, wants to talk all the time, frequently jumping from one subject to another, then sadness or repeats the same thing, one word often leads into another story. Great sensitiveness to touch. They cannot bear bed-clothes or night-dress to touch throat or abdomen. It is a great remedy women during their menopausal age with hot flushes and palpitations. Menses becomes too short too feeble. All symptoms are worse after sleep or the aggravation wakes him from sleep; sleeps into aggravation.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200—Lycopodium clavatum is best for hyperthyroidism with emaciation. Upper part of the body is more emaciated. They suffer from malnutrition and weakness of digestion. The patient is thin withered and full of gas and bloating. They prefer hot drinks and hot foods. Craves sugar is characteristic.

LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS 30—Lycopus virginicus  is best for hyperthyroidism , where heart symptoms are prominent. Rapid heart action. Palpitation and increased heart rate. Palpitation from nervous irritation.

PETROLEUM 200—Petroleum is indicated in hyperthyroidism with increased appetite. Stomach pain when stomach is empty, relieved by constant eating. Ravenous hunger. Must rise at night and eat. Petroleum person suffer from skin eruptions and deep cracks in folds, nipples and finger tips.

PHOSPHORUS 200—Phosphorus is adapted to tall slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin , delicate eye lashes, fine blond, or red hair, quick perceptions, and very sensitive in nature. Over sensitiveness of all the senses to external impressions, light, noise, odors, touch. Due to the hormonal imbalance hair falls out in clouds from the scalp ; hair falls out in bunches , baldness of single parts.  The patient feels a weak, empty , all- gone sensation in head, chest, stomach and entire abdomen. They have a craving for cold and iced drinks, chocolate, candies, salt, acids and spicy foods. Patient suffering from disturbed bowel movements, especially diarrhea due to increase in thyroid hormones. Diarrhea with great weakness after stool.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS 200--- Pulsatilla nigricans is adapted to  indecisive , slow, mild, timid , emotional, and tearful persons. Weeps easily. Because of heat in body the person always seeks the open air, always feels better there , even though chilly. Thirstlessness is another leading symptom of Pulsatilla. Menses suppressed or scanty and delayed. Complaints are aggravated from rich foods, fats , pork, pastries, desserts and ice –cream.

SEPIA 200—Sepia is adapted to persons of dark hair, rigid fiber, but mild and easy disposition. Due to excess hormone production mood changes are seen in Sepia persons. Anxiety with fear and flushes of heat over face and head. Indifferent is another leading symptom of Sepia. Indifferent to even to one’s family , to one’s occupation and to those whom she loved best. Great sadness and weeping. Marked menses irregularities are seen in Sepia. Irregular mensus of nearly every form-early, late, scanty, profuse, amenorrhea or menorrhagia.  Sensation of pressure and bearing down as if everything would protrude from pelvis; must cross limbs tightly or sit close to prevent it.

SULPHUR 200—Sulphur is indicated for hyperthyroidism  with heat and bowel disturbances. Sensation of burning , especially on vertex and soles of feet, especially at night. Cold feet in daytime with burning soles at night. Wants to find a cool place for them, puts them out of bed to cool them off. Morning diarrhea is another symptom of Sulphur. Driving out of bed early in the morning, as if the bowels were too weak to retain their contents.

THYROIDINUM 1000—Thyroidinum may be considered as an intercurrent remedy