Herbal Treatments for Thyroid During Menopause
Millions of women suffer from low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) normally in the perimenopausal (the five to fifteen years before menopause) and post-menopausal years. A smaller number deal with an overly active thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Natural medicine offers any number of herbs available to lessen menopause symptoms while simultaneously treating thyroid disorder.
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Changing Time
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Since menopause is a time of massive transition for the body and its metabolic system, it's little wonder that more than ten percent of midlife women discover their thyroid is not completely doing its job. "Menopause and perimenopause is often a time when women see high TSH levels and are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but few conventional practitioners talk about this connection," says Marcelle Pick, an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner and founder of the Women to Women Health Clinic in Maine. "And even fewer offer solutions outside of prescription medications like Synthroid, or its generic, levothyroxine, to bring TSH levels down."
Armour Thyroid
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Armour thyroid is a natural thyroid replacement that provides both the T3 and T4 hormones but requires some tweaking for the typical patient. "The levels of T3 and T4 cannot be adjusted to meet unique needs, so you might talk to your practitioner about prescribing compounded individualized levels of T3 and T4," says Pick.
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Herbal Balance
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Those eager to uncover herbal treatments for thyroid during menopause will find plenty of herbs that act to bolster both the thyroid and treat menopause symptoms. "Herbal methods are very effective for symptom relief in menopause," write Asa Hershoff N.D. and Andrea Rotelli N.D. in their book Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies. " Long term, they can re-balance pituitary, ovarian and thyroid hormones."
Herbs
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Bitter herbs like dandelion, gentiana and gentian/Taraxacum stimulate a low-functioning thyroid to improve metabolism and the breakdown of important thyroid nutrients.
Bugleweed (Lycopus Virginiana) is used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and enlarged thyroids.
Coleus (Coleus forskohlii) increases the production of thyroid hormones and stimulates their release.
Gotu Kola (centella asiatica) is regularly used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's disease, one of the leading contributors to the growth of thyroid nodules. It improves mental function and assists with normalizing hair and nail growth.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul) stimulates the thyroid and is beneficial for other abnormalities in the endocrine system, while it also helps to regulate menstrual cycles.
Hai Zao (Sargassum fusiforme) is often used for Hashimoto's disease. It improves overall thyroid function and prevents thyroid disease, while also treating edema and enlarged glands.
Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus) is a sea herb that's high in iodine, one of the imperative nutrients for thyroid health.
Kelp/Bladderwrack (Fucus versicolor) stimulates thyroid function and may boost levels of the T4 hormone, while also increasing the metabolic rate.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) assists in calming a hyperactive thyroid gland and is useful in the treatment of depression.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) treats a hyperactive or swollen thyroid while helping to regulate menstruation and minimize depression.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthrococcus senticosus) boosts thyroid function and balances hormones while increasing emotional well-being.
Other Nutrients
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Indulge in foods naturally high in B vitamins like nuts, seeds, whole grains and iodine. Good sources for these include root vegetables, fish and seaweed. Vitamin D supports healthy immune function and metabolism, so exposure to sun rays--around 20 minutes twice a day--is suggested.
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References
- Hypothyroidism in Menopause: A Whole-Body Perspective; Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP
- Treatments for Thyroid Diseases with Chinese Herbal Medicine; Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
- Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies; Asa Hershoff N.D. and Andrea Rotelli N.D.; Avery Trade (March 1, 2001)
