Hyperthyroidism

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

Treatment Plan

There are three types of drugs commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism. In rare instances when all of these fail a portion of your thyroid may be surgically removed.

Drug Therapies

Prescription

• Liquid radioactive iodine—one-time dose most common treatment; prevents the gland from releasing excess thyroid hormone; various side effects
• Thyroid depressive drugs—taken orally to decrease thyroid hormone production; various side effects
• Beta-blockers—bring a thyroid storm under control by slowing heart rate and reducing tremors and anxiety; beta-blockers do not control hyperthyroidism; various side effects

Over the Counter

N/A

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.

• Essential fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help your immune system function well. Take 1 000 to 1 500 mg three times per day.
• Bromelain (250 to 500 mg three times per day between meals) reduces swelling.
• Vitamin C (1 000 mg three to four times 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.
• Lithium has antithyroid properties. Doses of as little as 20 mg per day of elemental lithium may augment other antithyroid treatments.

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 (Leonorus 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.
• Hawthorne berry (Cratagus oxycantha) helps protect the heart. Take 1/4 tsp. of the solid extract or 1 000 mg of the herb three times a day.
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) inhibits the binding of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) receptors.
• Immune-suppressing herbs such as Stephania tetranda and Hemidesmus indicus help break the circle of cellular damage.
• Anti-inflammatory herbs such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Rehmania glutinosa support the adrenals as well.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy may be useful as a supportive therapy.

Physical Medicine

Ice packs to the throat will help decrease inflammation. Castor oil packs to the throat will also reduce inflammation. Apply oil directly to skin cover with a clean soft cloth and plastic wrap. Place a heat source over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. For best results use for three consecutive days.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be helpful in correcting hormonal imbalances.

Massage

Therapeutic massage may be useful in relieving stress.

Special Considerations

Thyroid problems during pregnancy can cause serious complications.

Supporting Research

Bartram T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Dorset England: Grace Publishers; 1995:422.

Berkow R. Merck Manual. 16th ed. Whitehorse Station NJ: The Merck Publishing Group; 1992.

Blumenthal M ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998:432.

Hoffman D. The New Holistic Herbal. New York NY: Barnes & Noble Books; 1995:95.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.