Holistic Health For Graves Disease & Hyperthyroidism

Conventional Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

Three medications are commonly used for Graves disease:

Methimazole (also called Tapazole)
Propylthiouracil
Propranolol

Methimazole and Propylthiouracil suppress thyroid function. Propranolol is blood pressure medication. It is used in some cases where high blood pressure is a symptom of hyperthyroidism.

These medications are generally good at controlling symptoms. But, they do have several problems:

Potential long term side effects
They suppress symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but don’t’ treat the cause
In some cases patients still have some hyperthyroidism symptoms.

Doctors prescribe medications to control symptoms. Then they hope patient’s hyperthyroidism gets better on its own.

Hope is part of doctor’s actual treatment strategy. It is known that at times Graves disease can seem to get better on their own. So medications are used to control symptoms in the hope of spontaneous improvement. This can go on for years. Often symptoms come right back if medications are stopped.

In the meantime nothing has been done to treat the underlining cause of hyperthyroidism, except to hope that it gets better on its own.

In the conventional medicine there are 3 possible outcomes for patients

The patient remains on medications indefinitely.
The medications fail to control symptoms, so doctor destroy the thyroid gland. Typically this is done with RAI (Radioactive Iodine).
The patient spontaneously gets better.

Natural Treatment For Graves Disease

The two steps to a holistic Grave disease plan

1: Keep Symptoms Under Control

Supplements, herbs and dietary changes can help control symptoms. More about this in the section below.

Step 2: Treat The Person, Not The Disease

Graves disease is not a thyroid disorder per se. It is as an immune system disorder that effects the thyroid gland. Therefore, the goal of treatment should be immune system regulation.

Since there are several possible triggers it’s not possible to have a one size fits all “Graves disease protocol” for everyone. What worked for someone else may not work for you.

Graves disease has similar triggers to other autoimmune diseases. These include:

Allergies
Parasites
Weakness and inflammation in digestive system
Chronic infections
Toxicity, such as environmental toxins and heavy metals
Poor nutrition
Emotional stress

When seeing client I do not work off of a protocol for Graves disease. All my clients get different plans based upon an individualized assessment. The causes of autoimmune disease are just to complex to make blanket statement such as it’s all caused by gluten sensitivity or Epstein Barr virus. My job is to work with clients to find out what their own triggers of hyperthyroidism are.

Published Graves Disease Articles and Videos

Go to my Youtube channel for my videos on Graves disease and other topics

Herbal Medicine and Supplements For Hyperthyroidism

The herbs and supplements listed below help to control symptoms. These do help and have a place in an holistic plan. However, for the most part these supplements just control symptoms. They do not treat the cause.

Other herbs and supplements can be used to treat underlining causes. But this requires a much more individualized approach and is too complex to summarize in such a list.

Herbal Medicine

Bugleweed (Lycopus europaeus), Lemon Balm (Melissa), Passionflower (Passiflora) and Motherwort (leonaris Cardiaca) are some of the more common herbs for hyperthyroidism. These herbs have a calming effect on the heart, and so may be used in cases where elevated blood pressure, or heart palpitations are present.

Bugleweed is on average the best herb for most people with Graves disease. That doesn’t make it the best herb for everyone. Some people may feel worse on it.

Cactus grandiflorus (Selenicereus grandiflorus) may also be used for cardiovascular symptoms. Typically this is not in over the counter formulas, but practitioners may include it if needed.

Blue flag (Iris versicolor) has also traditionally been used for hyperthyroidism. It acts strongly on the lymphatic system. Therefore this may be helpful for swelling on, or around the thyroid. Blue flag can be taken orally, or applied topically over a goiter or enlarged thyroid.

There are many more herbs which may be useful in Graves disease. However, these are best selected based upon individual assessment with consideration towards the specific action of each herb. To be more specific it’s best to consult with a qualified herbalist.

Selenium and anti-oxidants

The thyroid has an affinity for selenium. Selenium acts as a strong anti-oxidant and may be helpful for both hyperthyroidism, and Grave’s ophthalmopathy. Anti-oxidants in general may be helpful for Graves disease as well.

Some people worry that because selenium is used to convert T4 into T3 it may make hyperthyroidism worse. These is no evidence of this. Overall it is balancing for both hyper and hypothyroidism.

Carnitine

Over time carnitine blunts the action of excessive thyroid hormone at the cellular level. It has not direct response on thyroid hormone or TSH. It’s anti-thyroid effect only happens in cases of hyperthyroidism. It will not create hypothyroidism symptoms in people who have normal thyroid function.

Vitamins A, D

Vitamins A and D have profound effects of modulating the immune system. In recent years vitamin D has gotten much attention. However, vitamin A is also crucial is regulating the immune system. Remember, Graves disease is an immune system disorder that affect the thyroid gland, not a disease of the thyroid per se.

Nutritional Lithium

Lithium inhibits the thyroid’s production of thyroid hormone.

There are several forms which lithium is available in, as a prescription medication, or as an over the counter supplement. The prescription lithium is used to treat “bipolar” disorder and “depression.” Because of the form and dose it is given in, it has many toxic side effects.

Lithium is also available as a nutritional supplement in different forms, and much lower doses than the prescription.

Comparison of different forms of Lithium:

Lithium carbonate. Typical dose:
300 – 1500 mg
Li-zyme forte from Biotics. Dose:
150 mcg per pill, up to 9 pills a day. It takes 7 pills of Li-zyme to get the dose up to 1050 mcg which is about 1 mg. To get up to a precription carbonate dose of 300mg, 2000 pills of li-zyme would need to be taken.
Lithium orotate. Typical dose: 5 – 20 mg

Lithium – The Misunderstood Mineral Part 1

What about iodine?

Although it is possible to suppress thyroid function by taking a very large dose of iodine, I do not recommend using iodine in the maintenance of hyperthyroidism.

Severe iodine deficiency cause hypothyroidism. In some situations iodine may help people with hyperthyroidism, but not necessarily by repleting a deficiency. Sometimes and influx of additional iodine causes a reflex, where the thyroid stops up-taking iodine.

If someone has been taking iodine to control hyperthyroidism, I don’t recommend that they stop. However, when starting with a new person who is not taking any supplement, I believe it will be easier to control symptoms with other supplements that have far less chance of unintended effects.

Blood Tests For Graves Disease & Hyperthyroidism

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and Hyperthyroidism

TSH is made by part of the brain called the pituitary gland. It’s the brain’s way to tell the thyroid how much hormone to make. For this reason when thyroid hormone is low, the brain makes more TSH to tell the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.

In hyperthyroidism the thyroid is already making too much hormone all by itself. Therefore the brain stops producing TSH because it’s not needed. Therefore, hyperthyroidism causes TSH levels to drop. Typically labs come back with TSH close to zero.

It doesn’t matter if hyperthyroidism is very mild or severe, the TSH will look about the same. Therefore it can only be used to show if someone has hyperthyroidism. It can’t tell you have bad it is. Nor can it tell you what the cause of hyperthyroidism is.

The causes of hyperthyroidism are:

Graves disease
Acute thyroiditis
Thyroid secreting nodule

Figuring out what the cause it depends upon other tests.

Key points:

High TSH indicates hypothyroidism

Low TSH indicates hyperthyroidism

Sub-clinical hyperthyroidism

If TSH drops to about 0.4 this is sub-clinical hyperthyroidism. This means there is too much thyroid hormone, but not so much that medications are needed at this point.

Conventional medicine does nothing to prevent hyperthyroidism. So the only thing they have to offer is repeat lab testing to monitor the situation.

From a natural health perspective preventive this is the time to look for potential triggers. A skilled practitioner may be able to figure out what is going on and how to prevent it from getting worse.

Hyperthyroidism

Once TSH drops below 0.4 this indicates hyperthyroidism. Even in mild cases TSH will usually drop all the way down to 0.1 or less.

Therefore the TSH has limited use. It can tell you if someone is hyperthyroid or not. It can’t tell you how bad things are.

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine

There are two forms of thyroid hormone.

Triiodothyronine is the stronger more active form. The hormone contains 3 iodine, and is thus generally called T3.

Thyroixine is the less active form of thyroid hormone. It has 4 iodine and is commonly called T4.

Both T3 and T4 may be bound or free. Bound hormones are attached to a protein that makes them inactive. Unbound or free hormone is active.

There are 4 different tests for thyroid hormone:

Total T3 (both the bound and free hormone)
Free T3
Total T4 (both the bound and free hormone)
Total T4

I suggest clients have both T3 and T4 tested. It’s the only way to know how much thyroid hormone you have.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin) & Other Antibodies

Antibodies are made by the immune system to tag onto infections so the immune system can target and destroy them.

According to current autoimmune disease theory sometimes antibodies tag onto part of our own body and cause the immune to attack ourselves. Antibodies that do this are called auto-antibodies. There are several antibodies which can be tested for in hyperthyroidism. TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) or TSH receptor antibody. Both of these tests are similar. This is the antibody associated with Graves disease and causes the immune system to stimulate the thyroid gland into making too much hormone. TPO (thyroid peroxidase) and thyroglobulin antibodies. Both of these are more commonly associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimotos). However in about half of all cases they will be elevated in Graves disease as well.

Why is it important to test antibodies?

Helps to differentiate Graves disease from other causes of hyperthyroidism
Will increase as the autoimmune process gets worse
Will decrease as someone heals. It is possible antibodies to go away.

If not just your thyroid hormone, but antibodies go back down to normal, then you don’t have Graves disease anymore.

Why you need to ask for the antibody test

Medical doctors assume that if the antibodies are elevated, then they will stay elevated for life so there is not point in retesting.

This is not true. Antibody levels fluctuate and it is possible for them to come back down to normal in some cases.

So if you are following an holistic, natural health protocol for autoimmune disease then it’s best to retest antibodies. This is the lab test that will show how all the hard work you have doing is paying off.

Functional lab tests

These are tests designed to look for underlining function rather than to diagnose a specific disease. These are available from many naturopathic doctors or other alternative health care practitioners.

Those which I have found to be most helpful in clients with Graves disease and hyperthyroidism are:

Functional stool test
Hair analysis, porphryin or other tests for toxicity
Food allergies
Cortisol if symptoms can’t be fully explained by thyroid hormone levels

Best & Worst Foods For Hyperthyroidism

There are 3 basic food strategies to treat hyperthyroidism:

Remove allergenic foods.

There are different ways to find out what foods you are allergic to .Often people get tested for IgE antibodies through their medical doctor. IgE antibodies are good for testing immediate allergic response. However many food allergies are not IgE reactions. They are delayed allergies caused by IgG antibodies. Therefore, only testing IgE can lead to false negative results.

IgG food allergy tests are often available through naturopathic doctors and other natural health care practitioners who use specialty lab companies.

Another option is nutritional muscle testing. The practitioner first finds a good indicator muscle. It is then tested while exposing the patient against foods. A muscle that goes weak indicates lack of tolerance against the substance. This is not a lab test for antibodies. Therefore it is technically is not an allergy test. It does help to figure out what foods people are reacting to.

Without tests the best option is an allergy elimination diet. This involves removing all major allergens from your diet. Then you gradually add them back in. one food at a time. Symptoms must be carefully charted for several days after each reintroduction in order to catch delayed foods responses.

The allergy elimination diet works. It is also tedious and can take months of careful charting. Most prefer to get tested using one of the other methods listed above.

Foods that cleanse and fight inflammation

A good, whole food diet is essential. Processed junk food feeds inflammation. Diary, wheat, corn, soy and eggs are the most common allergens and they are in most processed foods.

Cleansing foods are mostly green leafy vegetables. Cilantro and parsley are two of the best, especially if juiced. Hyperthyroidism usually causes heat intolerance. So cooling foods like cucumber and celery will help , while lots of very hot, spicy food may make patients feel worse.

Goitrogens

These are foods that block the thyroid’s ability to make thyroid hormone. They are mostly found in raw vegetables. Heat destroys goitrogens. Therefore, they must be eaten raw to have this benefit.

The big problem is that we don’t know how many goitrogenic foods you need to eat for a clinical effect. You need to do some juicing. Unfortunately we don’t have studies on how much you must eat to get a clinical effect.

Most goitrogenic foods are healthy for other reasons. It’s good to include them in your diet, just don’t think eating some broccoli is going to normalize hyperthyroidism. In addition, heat can destroy goitrogens. Therefore it may be best to have them raw, or minimally cooked (steamed, blanched).

Top 10 foods for hyperthyroidism

- Millet. Millet is particularly high in goitrogenic activity. Some people may not be used to the taste. If trying it, it may be best to look online for a recipe with millet that you would enjoy.
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Turnips
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage. Cabbage has many medicinal properties. It is especially helpful for the digestive system (partially because it is high in the amino acid glutamine. In fact, an old naturopathic treatment before the popularity of many supplements, was to juice cabbage to heal the digestive system (many people with hyperthyroidism have weakened digestive systems).
- Watercress
- Kohlrabi
- Mustard Greens
- Mint

Other foods high in goitrogenic activity include:

(The idea of there actually being 10 best foods for hyperthyroidism is actually quite silly. But the phase helps people find this webpage)

Mustard
Peanuts (note, potentially allergenic – not best for people with auto-immune disease)
Soy (note, potentially allergenic – not best for people with auto-immune disease)
Sweet potatoes
Peaches
Borage
Basil
Oregano
Marjoram
Pears
Almonds
Spinach
Rosemary

Worst Foods for Hyperthyroidism

Fake foods

Artificial Sweeteners – Among many health issues with artificial sweeteners are reports association between aspartame and Graves disease.

Plastics, BPA, and phalates. Plastics mimic estrogens and disrupt the hormone system. Avoid foods stored in plastic but especially those heated in plastic. When you drink bottled water you don’t where it’s been or how long it’s been cooking inside that soft plastic. Microwaving foods in plastic in another way to get that plastic inside of you.

Wheat and gluten

Wheat, barley, rye, spelt and oats are all gluten containing grains. Gluten sensitivity is most known as the cause of Celiac disease. It can also contribute to autoimmune diseases such as Grave and Hashimoto’s. Gluten sensitivity is a consideration in anyone with Graves disease. Rye, spelt and barley also contain gluten. Oats are commonly contaminated with gluten due to processing on machines that also handle wheat. [1]

Milk and dairy

Milk and dairy products consumed in the United States are more akin to an industrial waste product than food. Blood, pus, antibiotics and pasteurization that extends shelf life at the cost of killing off any beneficial bacteria are what you’re getting with a glass of milk. Milk is highly allergenic and promotes production of phlegm. I do not recommend any of my clients consume dairy derived from industrial agriculture. [2]

Some would argue that it is unnatural for humans to drink the milk of other mammals. The health effects of fresh, raw milk from grass fed cows are at least debatable. The debate over having real grass fed raw milk, versus no milk is beyond the scope of this article. But at least this is a debate over actual milk.

Industrial agriculture cow derivative pus sludge is not “milk” nor is it food suitable for human consumption.

Iodine

The thyroid is very sensitive to iodine. Many people do suggest taking iodine during natural treatment of hyperthyroidism. I am more cautious. I don’t use it in hyperthyroidism unless there is a good reason to do so.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition of too much thyroid hormone. So why take iodine which is used to make more thyroid hormone?

I’m not anti-iodine. Overall it’s one of the more common nutrients I use in my practice. Women often need it to prevent hypothyroidism and other symptoms related to ovaries and breast health. But I don’t to give it unless I know it’s needed.

I also recommend people do not consume large amount of sea weed because it is high in iodine.

Finding a Naturopathic Doctor For Graves Disease

Although I see clients in New York City I get messages from people all over the USA and Canada about Graves disease. I suggest looking for local naturopathic doctor. Even if they don’t list Graves disease on their website, they may be able to help.

I suggest working with someone who can fulfill the following:

Comfortable working with autoimmune disease
Individualized treatment.
Goal is to work on underlining cause
Can help with acute symptoms as well

If you are not in the New York city area but would still like to consult over distance, I am able to do that over phone or skype.

FAQ

Are you an endocrinologist?

I am a Naturopathic Doctors. My role is not to take a place of your endocrinologist. Their job is to order blood tests and prescribed medications when needed. My job is to work with clients on the underlining issues that lead to Graves disease.

The endocrinologist treats Graves disease. As a Naturopathic doctor I work on improving the health of the whole person.

I’m already taking medications. Can I still work with you?

Yes you can. There is no reason why patients on medications for Graves disease can not also incorporate natural options as well.

Will I need to keep taking my medications?

As health improves there should be less need for medications over time. My job is to help clients get to this point. However specific instructions regarding medications are left up to the prescribing doctor.

Do you specialize in Graves disease patients?

Like most Naturopathic doctors I am a generalist and work with different clients on a variety of health issues. However I have seen many clients who have Graves disease.

I have Graves disease but don’t live near New York City, can I still see you over distance?

Yes, I am able to consult with people over the phone or Skype.