Now-a-days thyroid disorders are very common. Whenever you enter a clinic your doctor asks you to undergo some blood investigations. If you have a glance on the request most probably thyroid profile and other associated studies can be seen. The influence of the thyroid gland is absolutely necessary for normal function of the body. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine found in many foods and convert it into thyroid hormones.
                Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism which affect heart beat, cholesterol level, body weight, energy level, muscle strength, skin condition, vision, menstrual regularity, mental state and a host of other conditions of the individual.

                The most common thyroid disorder is an active under thyroid called as hypothyroidism. This results when the thyroid fails to produce adequate hormones. Less frequently, an overactive thyroid condition called hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces more thyroid hormone than needed. Few people suffer from enlargement of the gland.
     
What is a thyroid gland?
               The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland, which wraps around the front part of the windpipe just below the Adam's Apple. It produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism and organ function. Thyroid hormone influences essentially every organ, every tissue and every cell in the body.
The thyroid gland operates as part of a feedback mechanism involving the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Initially, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland through a hormone called TRH - Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone. When the pituitary gland receives this signal, it releases TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone , to the thyroid gland. Upon receiving TSH, the thyroid responds by releasing two of its own hormones - T4 and T3 - which then enter the bloodstream and affect the metabolism of the heart, liver, muscle and other organs.
               Finally, the pituitary "monitors" the level of thyroid hormone in the blood-either increases or decreases the amount of TSH released, which then changes the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood, as required by the body .
 
What is Hypothyroidism?
               Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormones -T4 and T3 - that influences essentially every organ, every tissue and every cell in the body. It is very common disorder, invariably the adults are affected.
It is a disorder of immune system which produces antibodies that destroy the thyroid. As the damaged thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland secretes more Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to encourage the thyroid to work harder. This increased demand on the thyroid may cause it to enlarge, resulting in what is commonly known as a Goitre.
 
What are the signs and symptoms?
               In case of mild thyroid failure, patients often do not show obvious symptoms and thus may not even be aware of their own problem. Left untreated, however, mild thyroid failure can progress and the problem begins to surface. Clinically it is very common among the obese and the women with menstrual irregularities.
     
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism.
Fatigue and exhaustion.
Unexplained or excessive weight gain.
Dry coarse skin and thinning of hair.
Sluggish, depression and mood swings.
Menstrual problems and infertility.
Intolerance to cold.
Slow pulse.
Puffiness of the face.
     
What is Hyperthyroidism?
               Hyperthyroidism, a less common thyroid disorder, occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces more thyroid hormones. The most common form of this disorder is Graves Disease; the cause of Graves Disease is unknown.
 
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Irritability, nervousness and sleep disturbances.
Weight loss, muscle weakness and tremors.
Palpitation with excessive perspiration.
Irregular periods.
Heat intolerance.
Hair becoming thin and brittle.
Bulging of eyes – Exopthalmous.
               The symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may be associated with enlargement of the thyroid gland. It may diffuse or localized with  nodules. Most often they have no symptoms, but can press against the neck and cause a sensation of a lump in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness or a cough.

               You can check your own thyroid by standing in front of a mirror. Look at the area of your neck, just above the notch where the collarbone comes together and just below the Adam's Apple. That is where the thyroid gland is located. If possible, throw light from the side to get shadow over the area. Then tilt your head back slightly and watch this area for any shadows while you swallow. If you see any pronouncement or enlargement in this area, you may have a thyroid nodule or an enlarged thyroid gland.

               Nodules are very common. In most cases they are not cancerous, but a physician should evaluate them all. These growths may be fluid-filled cysts or solid mass and formed of thyroid tissue. Physiological enlargement is noted during puberty, pregnancy and lactation periods.
   
How to diagnose?
              Physical findings and clinical symptoms help to arrive at a provisional diagnosis.

               Diagnosis of thyroid disorders need blood study, thyroid screening and needle biopsy. A TSH test is administered by drawing a small blood sample and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory test will read the level of TSH and based on a reported normal value range, it will determine whether the level  is below normal (Hyperthyroid), above normal (Hypothyroid) or within the normal range (Euthyroid).

               Thyroid hormones- T4 and T3 levels could be within the normal range, even when the thyroid was not functioning normally. The TSH test offers a marked advance by identifying the amount  of thyroid-stimulating hormones produced by the pituitary gland, the organ that signals the thyroid gland to produce more or less of T4 and T3 based on the body's need. In effect, the TSH test takes advantage of the "wisdom" of the pituitary gland, the organ that first recognizes thyroid dysfunction and therefore, provides a more exact measure of thyroid failure.

                An ultrasound test may be performed to accurately measure the nodule and check for other abnormality in the gland. A thyroid scan may also be recommended to see if the nodule is overactive, a "hot" nodule or inactive, a "cold" nodule.The most accurate test is the fine needle aspirate which is the reliable test for malignancy.
 
What is the treatment?
               Thyroid disorders are treatable with Homoeopathic medicines. When a patient suffers from hypothyroidism usual recommendation is substitute therapy with "Thyroxine preparations." But we look deeper into the causation to treat them constitutionally rather than with a chemical substitute. It is an auto-immune disease, so it requires a dynamic remedy. I had come across many cases with variety of complaints such as hair falling, obesity, irregular periods and infertility, which very had given me wonderful results.

               I had treated many cases of hyperthyroidism with enlargement of thyroid gland that has also given me excellent results. "Proliferative pathology" is quite amenable to Homoeopathic treatment as observed in many patients. These wonderful cures are possible only with Homoeopathic treatment because the disease approach is a total study. We not only give importance to the disease symptoms, but also to the symptoms of the patient's mind, physical symptoms and allied diseases.
 



 

 


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