Due to the potential severity of symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, some people with the condition wonder if it is safe to follow a natural treatment protocol for hyperthyroidism. 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 I wasn’t sure how effective they would be.
However, he also knew that conventional medical treatments for hyperthyroidism did absolutely nothing for the cause of the disorder. For example, antithyroid medications generally do a good job of controlling the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, but they are not a cure for the condition. Similarly, radioactive iodine therapy also does nothing for the actual cause of the thyroid disorder, simply damaging or in some cases completely destroying the thyroid gland so that it no longer produces excessive amounts 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 need radioactive iodine therapy, but in most cases, this method of treatment should be a last resort. So when someone questions the safety of natural hyperthyroidism treatment methods, I simply ask them how safe are conventional medical treatments that damage the thyroid gland and therefore cause someone to have hypothyroidism for the rest of their life.
The goal of a natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol
But still, it’s understandable that people remain skeptical of the unknown, which is why I think it’s important to explain what the goal of any natural treatment protocol for hyperthyroidism should be. Some people think that the goal of a natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol is simply to use natural supplements and herbs to help manage symptoms, rather than prescription drugs, RAI, or thyroid gland surgery. While nutritional supplements and herbal remedies can definitely 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, you no longer produce an excessive amount of thyroid hormone.
What is important to understand is that in most thyroid conditions, a malfunction of the thyroid gland is usually not the actual cause of the disorder. Despite this, conventional medical treatments are directed at the gland itself, whereas the goal of natural hyperthyroidism treatment methods is to treat the underlying cause of the thyroid condition. By treating the cause of the disorder, you will not only help with the symptoms, but may also help prevent the development of future conditions.
The risks of self-treating your hyperthyroid condition
When trying to self-treat your hyperthyroid condition, using a natural protocol can be risky. While there are many excellent books and websites that can help you, the truth is that they all need to be treated individually. In other words, not all people with hyperthyroidism who want to follow a natural treatment protocol for hyperthyroidism will need to take the same nutritional supplements, the same doses, etc. And as mentioned above, this involves more than just taking supplements.
Another challenge is that most people with hyperthyroidism don’t know what the actual cause of their disorder is. Your condition may be caused by a compromised immune system, weak adrenal glands, a malfunctioning digestive system, hormonal imbalance, etc. This is why it is recommended that anyone considering a natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol consult with a holistic physician who specializes in endocrine disorders.
Blend of both conventional and natural hyperthyroidism treatment methods
Sometimes the best option is to use both conventional and natural hyperthyroidism treatment methods. For example, someone who wants to use natural treatment methods but has severe symptoms of hyperthyroidism might take antithyroid medications to help control symptoms. Then, once the symptoms are under control, they will stop taking the medications and begin a natural treatment protocol. Or some will do both at the same time, because while they’re on the anti-thyroid meds they’ll also start doing some of the things that are required with a natural treatment protocol, like eating better, maybe taking some supplements, doing things to manage their stress. , etc.
Of course, these are just examples and not suggestions on what to do. And if you decide to mix both conventional and natural treatment methods, you should of course do so under the supervision of a competent doctor. Ideally, your endocrinologist or primary care doctor would work with your natural endocrinologist, although most non-holistic doctors will not be willing to make such an agreement.
How long does it take to see results?
Before following a natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol, most people will want to get an idea of how long it will take to see results. Those looking for a “quick cure” will definitely be disappointed as it will take some time to start to see a change in your symptoms and of course it will take longer to fully restore your health assuming this is even possible.
When I started my natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol for my Graves’ disease, it took a few weeks before I started to notice a difference in symptoms. This doesn’t mean they went away completely, but my racing heart rate, palpitations, and tremors got better within a few weeks. Another symptom I had was a voracious appetite, and for some reason this took a few months before it was under control. In most cases, you could expect to see noticeable changes within a few weeks and your symptoms to dramatically improve within a month or two of beginning a natural treatment protocol.
In summary, in most cases, a natural hyperthyroidism treatment protocol is a safe and effective method of managing the symptoms of your thyroid condition and, in many cases, will restore your health to normal, without the need for medication. antithyroid drugs or receiving radioactive iodine therapy. One way to look at it is that you really don’t have much to lose by following a natural hyperthyroidism 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, taking antithyroid medications and/or receiving RAIs only to eventually realize that these treatment methods did nothing 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 that much easier.
