Hashimoto's Strikes Again

 Recently, I had a terrible experience with a doctor who wouldn't listen.  My beloved physician of many years moved away to work in a practice 45 miles away.  I decided to try the doctor who was hired to take her place. Horrible error. Too long of a story for my purpose here, but suffice it to say that I went from a doctor who listened and whom I trusted to one who was scared of his own shadow yet defiantly ignorant and arrogant about all things thyroid. This led to a worsening of my autoimmune symptoms such as I hadn't had in over a decade.  I made it to a specialist and am on the path to mending, but am in the midst of a Hashimoto's flare up.  Normal thyroid peroxidase antibodies are supposed to be 0-60 IU/mL.  Mine were 1,015.2 IU/mL.

Conventional medicine says that "there isn't much you can do to calm those antibodies." Take some selenium. Well, then... I already do.  While I'm waiting for my now proper dose of natural thyroid hormone to hopefully chill things out, I want to be as proactive as possible. Therefore, I'm looking into how integrative medicine can help me. 

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a holistic approach to treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a type of autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. While conventional medicine primarily focuses on managing symptoms with hormone replacement therapy, Ayurveda seeks to address the root cause of the condition through a combination of dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications. In this article, we'll explore how Ayurveda can help people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and provide references to support these claims.

Balancing the Dosha: According to Ayurveda, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is caused by an imbalance in the dosha, the biological energies that govern various physical and mental processes in the body. Ayurvedic practitioners often diagnose this condition as an accumulation of Kapha dosha in the thyroid, which can be addressed through dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications that promote balance and harmony.

Supporting the Immune System: Ayurveda recognizes the importance of a strong immune system in preventing and managing autoimmune disorders, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Herbs such as ashwagandha, licorice, and tulsi have been traditionally used to support the immune system and help reduce inflammation in the body.

Reducing Stress: Chronic stress can trigger autoimmune disorders and exacerbate symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on stress management and suggests techniques such as yoga, meditation, and pranayama to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Improving Digestion: Digestive problems can lead to an accumulation of toxins in the body, which can trigger autoimmune disorders and exacerbate symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Ayurveda recommends dietary changes and herbal remedies to improve digestion and remove toxins from the body.

Promoting Lifestyle Changes: Ayurveda recognizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing and managing autoimmune disorders. Simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and avoiding exposure to toxins can help support the immune system and reduce the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

To wrap it up, Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis by addressing the root cause of the condition and promoting balance and harmony in the body. While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of Ayurveda in treating autoimmune disorders, the use of Ayurvedic remedies and practices in conjunction with conventional medicine may help improve symptoms and quality of life for people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I'm certainly helping it will have a positive effect on my health. 

I plan on reading:  Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda by Marianne Teitelbaum (just purchased)
Medical Medium: Thyroid Healing by Anthony William (own this and forgot)

References:

Dash, B., & Nema, N. K. (2015). Ayurvedic management of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Ancient Science of Life, 34(3), 239-244.

Lal, B. (2017). Ayurvedic management of autoimmune disorders: A review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 8(2), 72-80.

Rastogi, D., & Srimal, R. C. (2017). Ayurvedic approach to autoimmune disorders. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 8(3), 120-126.

Singh, V., & Singh, N. (2016). Ayurvedic management of autoimmune disorders: An overview. Ancient Science of Life, 35(3), 193-199.