Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules

The information in this page about hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, natural medicine, treatment and cure is NOT a sales pitch for any drug, supplement, herbal formula or even an alleged magic potion from an exotic faraway land. Food is always best medicine No chemical drugs or expensive and dangerous surgeries, not even herbal concoctions. Just the right diet for treating and curing hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules. Learn how.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is not producing enough of the hormone T4. It is often associated with slow metabolism and constipation. About ten percent of American women have thyroid hormone deficiency. There are two common causes of hypothyroidism. The first is inflammation of the thyroid which damages the thyroid cells. The second is thyroiditis, a thyroid inflammation reasons for which are yet unknown. Common symptoms of Hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain and difficulty losing weight, hair loss, constipation, depression, irritability, memory loss and abnormal menstrual cycles. Hypothyroidism blood tests measure blood levels of T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone TSH.  In an under-active thyroid gland, the blood level of T4 will be low, and the TSH will be high. The thyroid is not making enough hormone and the pituitary is compensating by making more TSH to force the thyroid to produce more hormone.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the signs and symptoms associated with an over production of thyroid hormone. In healthy people, the thyroid makes the right amounts of two hormones, T4 and T3 which have important actions throughout the body. These hormones regulate our metabolism, calorie burning, body temperature, weight  and heart beat rate. An increases in thyroid hormone will cause an increase in the rate of cell functions. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include palpitations, heat intolerance, nervousness, insomnia, increased bowel movements, menstrual period disturbance, exhaustion, trembling hands and hair loss.

Thyroid nodules

The following factors can cause thyroid nodules: Lack of dietary iodine. Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation and under activity of the thyroid gland). Genetic defects of receptors that release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

There are several types of thyroid nodules:

● Colloid nodules. Noncancerous overgrowths of normal thyroid tissue. There can be one colloid nodule or more. These nodules can grow larger but don't spread beyond the thyroid gland. Most thyroid nodules are colloid nodules.

● Thyroid cysts. The cysts can range in size from about 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters. Fluid-filled cysts are usually benign, but complex cysts can be malignant.

● Inflammatory nodules. This develops as a result of chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. It can cause severe pain in the thyroid gland.

● Thyroid cancer. Although most nodules are benign. Malignant nodules are usually large and hard and may cause neck discomfort or pain.

● Multi-nodular goiter. Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland sometimes caused by the presence of a number of thyroid nodules. It can cause a tight feeling in the throat and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Hypothyroidism is usually treated by taking a small thyroid hormone pill once a day. As with most, if not all, chemical medications, an overdose of this hormone may increase the patient's risk for heart attack or worse. Once treatment for hypothyroidism has been started, it will continue for the patient's lifetime. This medication is a synthetic form of T4 but supposed to be a replica of the natural T4 that the thyroid gland secretes.

Traditional Treatment for hyperthyroidism

Beta blockers

Sometimes beta-blockers are used to block the effect of the thyroid hormone but don't have an effect on the thyroid itself, they do not cure the hyperthyroidism nor decrease the amount of thyroid hormone produced. This is strictly a symptomatic treatment.

Anti-thyroid Drugs

This therapy prevents the thyroid from producing hormones. These drugs have side effects such as rash, itching, or fever. Hyperthyroidism symptoms return after medications are discontinued.

Radioactive Iodine Treatment

Goiters and other thyroid conditions are treated with radioactive iodine therapy to kill a portion of the thyroid to prevent producing too much hormone. Often, the result of radioactive iodine treatment will be that too many cells are damaged and the patient becomes hypothyroid later. Radioactive iodine gives off a poisonous radiation. The thyroid cells which absorb it are killed. Read what Dr. Herbert Ratner, MD has said about modern man and modern medicine.

Traditional treatment for thyroid nodules

Though both hypothyroidism YANG and hyperthyroidism YIN affect the thyroid gland, they are opposite illnesses. Their causes differ greatly. The thyroid gland secretes a hormone called T4. The TSH hormone is of the YIN type (expansive). The thyroid itself is located in the upper part of the body, the YIN part. That is why a decrease in the level of this hormone causes YANG symptoms such as constipation, and an increase in the level of this hormone causes opposite YIN symptoms such as diarrhea. The presence of thyroid nodules is a yang illness (hard mass).

Food is best medicine for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules. They are completely curable with the right diet, no medications or surgery necessary. If the thyroid gland contains a nodule, the right diet will slowly dissolve it, just like the right diet will dissolve large fibroids. The right diet will also gradually cure any inflammation of the thyroid and the thyroid cells return to secreting the right amount of hormones. The right diet for hypothyroidism treatment differs substantially from the diet for treating and curing hyperthyroidism and its associated symptoms. Generally, hyperthyroidism is easier to treat than hypothyroidism or thyroid nodules, and the patient experiences improvement in a shorter time.

Most people have come to believe that macrobiotics means eating exotic Japanese foods. This is a misconception. To cure hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism you do not have to eat Japanese foods. You have to first understand the principles of natural balance explained in macrobiotics in order to understand what eating and other habits have led you to develop either hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and/or thyroid nodules. Then macrobiotics will help you select the foods you will have to eat in order to cure hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid nodules. Read If macrobiotics means eating locally grown foods, why are we eating Japanese foods?

It is true that food is best medicine for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules. But some foods help cure hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules, and some make the condition worse. The food pyramid is only a general guideline and does not provide any specific information in the natural treatment and cure of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules.

Food is best medicine. With a carefully designed diet plan for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism there is no need for vitamin and mineral supplements. Some vitamin and mineral supplements can have severe adverse side effects on a thyroid patient especially a hyperthyroidism patient. However, if supplements are desired, only natural food-based supplements should be selected and taken in moderate amounts.

Are you skeptical of this treatment and cure for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules? This is natural, but please read: back to the roots.

This is not a sales pitch for an expensive herbal concoction or an exotic supplement

Principles explained above are the laws of nature, and illness is simply the cumulative result of violating these laws. Hippocrates said: Thy food shall be thy remedy. It is mentioned in the Chinese book of internal medicine: What can not be cured with medicine, can only be cured with food. Food is your best medicine if the illness is hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid nodules or almost anything else.

If you decide to treat hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid nodules with the right diet, you can order a consultation with us from the top of this page. We can help by providing an appropriate diet plan, and you would not be alone traveling this road! Read about what many famous western doctors said about Food is Best Medicine. And keep in mind that we offer seminars worldwide about nutrition, the art of health and macrobiotics. It is beneficial when you are following a diet to treat hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism to read about the healing crisis.

You can find more answers and more about hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules and other illnesses and food as medicine in Frequently Asked Questions.

In addition to changing your eating habits, take some time to relax, meditate or re-charge the batteries, and read what others have discovered about this wondrous world around us.

If you want to read more about health, alternative and natural medicine, take a look at the list of suggested readings.