How to Use Naturopathy to Treat Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone to sustain the body. While traditional medical treatments are available to regulate the hormone in your body, naturopathy provides some alternative treatments in keeping with the theory that your body can heal itself if you turn to nature and eliminate over-processed foods from your diet. Doctors of naturopathy use a number of alternative branches of medicine to treat hypothyroidism.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kelp
• Seaweed
• Vitamin B-complex
• Folic acid
• Vitamin C
• Acupuncture

1. See a doctor for an initial diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Some of the signs that your thyroid may be slowing down are fatigue, goiter, weight gain, constipation, loss of muscle tone, paleness and joint pain. Goiter is a swelling on either side of your Adam’s apple. To rule out other medical conditions, a doctor’s diagnosis is imperative.

2. Supplement your diet with a natural source of iodine. The largest cause of hypothyroidism is the lack of iodine in the human diet. In third world countries, hypothyroidism is common because iodine is not available on a large scale. Purchase kelp and seaweed supplements at a health food store to boost your body’s iodine level naturally.

3. Schedule acupuncture therapy with a doctor of naturopathy. As this alternative Chinese practice spreads into Western medicine, it is gaining recognition and respect. The World Health Organization maintains a list of conditions successfully treated by acupuncture and hypothyroidism is on the list. A professional must do this procedure.

4. Alter your diet and lifestyle to reduce the effects of hypothyroidism. Smoking may increase the risk of thyroid gland production. Other risk factors include a high consumption of soy products, fluoridated water and high levels of stress in your life. Naturopathy seeks to treat every aspect of your life to encourage total health. Consider reducing your risk factors to eliminate hypothyroidism.

5. Supplement your health with natural vitamins. Look for organic supplements made without synthetic fillers to treat hypothyroidism. Consider taking a vitamin B complex supplement along with biotin and folic acid. Vitamin C, taken in small dosages three or more times a day, encourages healthy thyroid function.

6. Choose a doctor of naturopathy in your area. Not all states permit or license doctors in naturopathy but many do. For a detailed list of the naturopathy practitioners close to you, see Resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Most table salt contains trace iodine elements and provides all the iodine needed for normal hormone function.
• If you don’t have a doctor of naturopathy to guide you, consult your own family doctor before beginning an alternate program of treatment for hypothyroidism.

Resources

• List of naturopathy doctors by state

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[doban]

on 8/4/2009 This sounds like good information for raising thyroid levels naturally -I would have a Dr. monitor the levels but why take medication if these things would work -thanks

[bethanygm]

on 8/2/2009 A lot of hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease. You HAVE to have replacement thyroid hormone to stop your body from attacking and destroying your thyroid. Naturopathy can't help much once you have the disease.