Treating Thyroid disorders in Ayurveda

Increased awareness about role of Ayurveda on successfully treating many metabolic disorders, is leading generate hopes among women with thyroid dysfunction. And some awakened souls understand that they need to do something about their non-functioning thyroid gland which is so important and had looked after them for so long (when they in their mother’s womb). Reads this article of Dr. Vibhuti Rao, who tells about how Ayurveda can help support your thyroid gland to work efficiently once again.

Older overweight women are the most favorite of the thyroid gland. And women also love their thyroid gland so much that they blame it for their any metabolic problem- mostly for weight gain and hair fall. The moment they feel that they have been putting on some extra grams, they rush to the lab to get their thyroid checked. ‘look, doctor it is all wrong with my thyroid that is making me obese, -most women say when they consult me.

Let me give you some statistics. A study conducted in 2013 found that 1 in 10 Indian adults have hypothyroid problem. Moreover, 42 million Indians are believed to have hypothyroidism in 2014. Hypothyroidism is most common thyroid problem in India. 11% of Indian population have hypothyroidism which is higher compared to other developed countries such as in UK it is only 2%. It was interested to see in a research that people living inland (not costal side) are more affected with thyroid dysfunction. Many public health experts believe that more people suffers from the thyroid imbalance than estimated but they keep struggling and do not know about it and thus left undetected and untreated.

Almost 10-20% women as young as 25 years old come to me for their thyroid problem. During their blood test, they come to know that their TSH levels are higher than normal. Surprisingly, many says that they have been taking tablets for it (Hypothyroidism) but still their thyroid is not functioning. And real thrilled part is that their thyroid function shows different results in different labs and when they check at different days. ‘So much variation doctor, I do not know which report to trust’, at points their frustration speaks aloud.

The one who are taking hormones for their thyroid and for one who get a new diagnose both categories people seek Ayurveda treatment. Most of women want to get off their hormonal tablet and want to look after their thyroid more naturally. Moreover, many comes with a believe that their thyroid gland can function once again to provide enough thyroxine hormone for the body with the help of Ayurvedic medicines and doing some Yoga. And that’s true too, you just to provide a better care to this beautiful gland to help your body functions.

Well, I as a Ayurvedic doctor I do not shatter their beliefs and assumptions about Ayurveda. However, in my own way, I try to explain them that they need to look at Ayurveda not just as alternative but a complete health science which is taking new shape and understanding. I ask them to explain me their symptoms rather than telling me that they have hypothyroidism or high TSH levels. I request them often, to let me diagnose them as per Ayurvedic principles and then plan their treatment accordingly. I also advise them that I cannot simply give them what they have seen on internet or heard from many ‘an Ayurveda remedy for their thyroid’. Few who really understand that my aim is to solve their problem from root and not just agree with whatever they say, such patients get benefit from my treatment for their thyroid disorders.

The imbalanced thyroid (Understanding it as per Ayurveda)- ‘’Apachi’’ is a kind of neck swelling that is mentioned in Atharva Veda. In Ayurveda, Galaganda- simple goiter has been mentioned as a thyroid disorder that is basically a state of hypothyroidism. Galaganda is a Kapha related disorder. In simple words, I can say, hypothyroidism is caused due to imbalance in three dosha (Pitta goes down, Vata becomes high and Kapha gets abnormal in its quality) and Meda dhatu in the body and is manifest at the sixth layer of our seven-layered skin. So, yes, it is a deep-seated problem.

So, anything – your food, activities which increases Kapha and Vata in the body and vitiate medas dhatu and effect poorly on you (Pitta) Agni is the cause for your thyroid imbalance. How it happens? Due to certain causative factors (dietary, activities etc.) Vata and Kapha dosha get imbalance along with unsupportive -unhealthy Meda dhatu. This leads to imbalance in further dhatus- Asthi, Majja and Shukra and finally Ojas (essences if all dhatus) which manifest themselves as enlargement of glands in the neck and called as Galaganda. Soon, you may start feeling that you have no interest in having food (food aversion), and you are catching lot of infections frequently than usual (having fever, cold and cough often). Also, you sleep get disturbed and you become more irritable, angry and frustrated. Many times, you feel that you have no strength to work and struggle a lot.

Treatment of Galaganda (Thyroid disorder)-
Ayurveda is well-known for its individual holistic approach in managing any disorder. Likewise, hypothyroidism is treated based on individual prakriti (nature) of the patient, agni (enzymatic activity) and interplay of doshas (bodily humors) in the disorder. Foremost, Panchakarma therapy is advised for patients to cleanse the body where excess dosha imbalance is present. Primarily, I advise Vamana Karma for patients when they tell me symptoms of Kapha vitiation or Virechna if Pitta looks aggravated. I also advise them to practice Nasya daily for keeping their head and its content normally functioning.
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Further, I put them on oral medications. As per, “Saamanya Vishesh Siddhanta” -one of Ayurveda treatment principles, I prescribe anti-kapha Ayurveda medicines, balance their Agni level (metabolism) and give medicines to decrease abnormal medas (fat) dhatu. These measures help to clean the blockage in the channels due to excess kapha and restore the function of metabolism in the body. There are many effective Ayurvedic herbs and formulations told in various authentic text books of Ayurveda and many people are aware of these formulations too. But remember, though Ayurveda is believed to have no-side effects, do not underestimate the quality of the herbs and self-treat yourself. Always pay a visit to a Ayurvedic doctor before you take any Ayurveda medicines.

Yoga and Pranayama:
As a student of Yoga, I also advice my patients to practice 5 rounds of Surynanamaskara, Matsyasana (fish like posture), and Suryabhedana (single nostril breathing), Anulom- vilom (alternate breathing) and Ujjayi (victorious breathing) to balance their hormonal levels. So, get active and get your thyroid active.

Namaskara,
Vaidya Vibhuti Rao