Are Natural Hyperthyroid Treatment Methods Safe?
Due to the potential severity of the symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, some people with such a condition wonder whether following a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol is safe. When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, which is an autoimmune hyperthyroid condition, I honestly wasn’t too concerned about the safety of natural treatment methods, but wasn’t sure how effective they would be.
However, I also knew that conventional medical treatments for hyperthyroidism did absolutely nothing for the cause of the disorder. For example, anti-thyroid drugs typically do a good job of managing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but is not a cure for the condition. Similarly, radioactive iodine therapy also does nothing for the actual cause of the thyroid disorder, as it simply damages, or in some cases completely destroys the thyroid gland so that it no longer produces an excess amount of thyroid hormone.
While I have no problem with a doctor recommending anti-thyroid drugs to temporarily manage the symptoms, I do think there’s an issue when thousands of people are told to take a harsh treatment method like RAI when it is frequently possible to restore their health back to normal. Sure, some people do need radioactive iodine therapy, but in most cases this treatment method should be a last resort. So when someone questions the safety of natural hyperthyroid treatment methods, I simply ask them how safe are conventional medical treatments that harm the thyroid gland, thus making someone hypothyroid for the rest of their life?
The Goal Of A Natural Hyperthyroid Treatment Protocol
But still, people are understandably still skeptical of the unknown, and because of this I think it’s important to explain what the goal of any natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol should be. Some people think that the goal of a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol is simply to use natural supplements and herbs to help manage the symptoms, rather than prescription drugs, RAI, or thyroid gland surgery. While nutritional supplements and herbal remedies definitely can play an important role in such a protocol, the ultimate goal of natural treatment methods is to restore the function of the thyroid gland, so that in the case of the person with hyperthyroidism it will no longer produce an excess amount of thyroid hormone.
What’s important to understand is that in most thyroid conditions, the malfunctioning thyroid gland usually isn’t the actual cause of the disorder. Despite this, conventional medical treatments are aimed at the gland itself, while the goal of natural hyperthyroid treatment methods is to treat the underlying cause of the thyroid condition. By treating the cause of the disorder, not only will it help with the symptoms, but it can also help to prevent future conditions from developing.
The Risks Of Self-Treating Your Hyperthyroid Condition
When trying to self-treat your hyperthyroid condition, using a natural protocol can admittedly be somewhat risky. While there are plenty of books and websites with some great information that might help guide you, the truth is that everyone needs to be treated on an individual basis. In other words, not everyone with hyperthyroidism who wants to follow a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol will need to take the same nutritional supplements, the same dosages, etc. And as mentioned earlier, this does involve more than just taking supplements.
Another challenge is that most people with a hyperthyroid condition don’t know what the actual cause of their disorder is. Their condition can be caused by a compromised immune system, weak adrenal glands, a poorly functioning digestive system, a hormonal imbalance, etc. This is why it is recommended that anyone who is considering a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol consult with a holistic doctor who specializes in endocrine disorders.
Mixing Both Conventional and Natural Hyperthyroid Treatment Methods
Sometimes the best option is to use both conventional and natural hyperthyroid treatment methods. For example, someone who wants to use natural treatment methods but has severe hyperthyroid symptoms might take anti-thyroid drugs to help manage the symptoms. Then once the symptoms are under control they will wean off the drugs and begin a natural treatment protocol. Or some will do both at the same time, as while they are taking the anti-thyroid drugs they will also begin doing some of the things that are required with a natural treatment protocol, such as eating better, perhaps taking some supplements, doing things to manage their stress, etc.
These of course are just examples and not suggestions as to what you should do. And if you do decide to mix both conventional and natural treatment methods, you of course should do so under the guidance of a competent doctor. It would be ideal to have your endocrinologist or primary care physician work with your natural endocrine doctor, although most non-holistic medical doctors won’t be willing to work out such an arrangement.
How Long Will It Take To See Results?
Before following a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol, most people will want to have an idea as to how long it will take to see results. Those people looking for a “quick cure” will definitely be disappointed, as it will take some time to begin seeing a change in your symptoms, and of course will take longer to completely restore your health, assuming this is possible.
When I began my natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol for my Graves’ Disease condition, it took a few weeks before I began noticing a difference in the symptoms. This doesn’t mean they were completely eliminated, but my increased heart rate, palpitations, and shakiness all improved within a few weeks. Another symptom I had was a voracious appetite, and for some reason this took a few months before this was under control. In most cases you could expect to see noticeable changes within a few weeks, and for your symptoms to dramatically improve within one or two months of beginning a natural treatment protocol.
In summary, in most cases a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol is both a safe and effective method to both manage the symptoms of your thyroid condition, and in many cases will restore your health back to normal, without needing to take anti-thyroid drugs or receive radioactive iodine therapy. One way to look at it is that you really don’t have much to lose by following a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol, as you can always decide to take the drugs or receive RAI at a later time. Of course many people do the opposite, as they take the anti-thyroid drugs and/or receive RAI and eventually realize that these treatment methods didn’t do anything for the actual cause of their disorder. Either way, it’s up to you to decide which treatment method is right for you, and hopefully the information presented here will help make your decision much easier.