The document discusses hypothyroidism and how Ayurveda can help treat it. It defines the thyroid gland and its function of producing hormones. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. Common causes include autoimmune disorders and stress. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and mood changes. Ayurvedic treatments focus on reducing the heavy and dull qualities of excess Kapha dosha and include herbal formulas, nasal therapies, foods high in iodine and selenium, yoga, and exercise.

1. How Ayurveda can help
Hypothyroidism
Sruthi Bhat

2. • According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20
million people have some form of thyroid disease,1 many of whom
are experiencing hypothyroidism

3. • What Is The Thyroid Gland?
• The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the neck below the
thyroid cartilage. The main function of the thyroid gland is producing
thyroid hormones, the principal ones being triiodothyronine (T3) and
thyroxine (T4). T3 and T4 are synthesized from both iodine and tyrosine.
The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium
homeostasis.
• The two conditions resulting from impairment of the thyroid glands are
hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, of which hypothyroidism is more
common.

4. • Hypothyroidism
• Hypothyroidism is a major condition affecting many people. Most are
unaware they have thyroid disease as the clinical signs are not visible
externally. Only when they take the blood test will they know. In
hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce a sufficient
amount of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine
(T3).

5. • What Causes Thyroid Disease?
• One cause of thyroid disease is autoimmune disorder. Antibodies present in the body itself
attack the thyroid glands resulting in a condition named autoimmune thyroiditis which
eventually destroys the thyroid gland.
• Another reason is physical and mental stress. Physical stress can be defined as stress on
the physical body where it is not able to accommodate a lifestyle such as fast food,
disturbed sleep patterns and environmental risk factors. Mental stress can arise from work
pressure, emotional weakness, grief or family disputes.
• All of these factors result in the secretion of cortisol, the hormone which acts as a
protective mechanism to stress. Originally developed as a response to physical threat,
when the duration of stress increases too much cortisol causes the tissues to no longer
respond to the thyroid hormone signal. This is known as thyroid resistance. It can cause
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to be elevated while T4 and T3 are within the
normal range.

6. • Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism
• Chronic fatigue, weight gain, depression, low blood pressure,
sensitivity to heat and cold, paresthesias, bradycardia, elevated LDL-
cholesterol, reactive hypoglycemia, hoarseness, constipation,
headache, muscle weakness, joint stiffness, swollen face,
menorrhagia (heavy and prolonged menstruation), cramps, memory
loss, visual problems, infertility and hair loss.

7. • Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid Conditions
• Kapha dosha has the property of guru which means heaviness. It also
has the property of manda or dullness. Treatment should focus on
reducing manda guna of Kapha dosha.
• Ayurvedic herbal formulas for thyroid include Vaisvanara curnam for
Agni Dipana, Varunadi Kasayam, Punarnavadi kasayam and Kancanara
guggulu. The practice of nasya is also beneficial.

8. • Recommended Foods
• Foods high in iodine like shellfish should be included in the diet. High selenium
foods such as Brazil nuts, oysters, tuna, sunflower seeds, whole wheat bread,
pork, chicken, mushrooms, whole grains and milk are also beneficial.2
• Foods To Avoid: alcohol, coffee, cabbage and cauliflower.
• The practice of yoga and meditation everyday can reduce stress significantly.
Pratimarshya nasya with appropriate medication can control kapha vitiation.
Exercise for half an hour daily can be very beneficial. People with thyroid diseases
who regularly exercise for half an hour stimulate the thyroid gland and increase
body metabolic function thereby reducing excess weight gain.

9. • References
• 1 “General Information/Press Room.” American Thyroid Association,
American Thyroid Association, www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-
hypothyroidism/.
• 2 House, Paul. “Top 10 Foods Highest in Selenium.”
HealthAliciousNess, HealthAliciousNess, 22 June 2017,
www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-selenium.php