Though many practitioners consider thyroiditis an "easy" disease to treat, patients continue to suffer from symptoms of thyroid diseases despite treatment. When a patient is told they are "fine," yet continue to suffer from symptoms, frustration and depression are understandable reactions. There are natural ways for thyroid patients to alleviate their symptoms and even improve their health.
Hypothyroid Patients
Those with underactive thyroids should provide their bodies with various vitamins and minerals that aid thyroid, endocrine and overall body function. Especially important are vitamins A, C, D, E and B2, B3, B6, and B12 as well as minerals selenium, zinc, and magnesium. These can be obtained through supplements, though the preferable source is food. Also helpful are L-tyrosine, essential fatty acids and evening primrose oil.
Hypothyroid patients should avoid goitrogens (foods that suppress thyroid function) such as soy, raw cruciferous vegetables, raw peanuts and strawberries. Helpful foods include whole, fresh foods: egg yolks, lean meats, fish, apricots, dates, whole grains, mushrooms and molasses, as well as raw milk and cheeses.
Hyperthyroid Patients
Patients with overactive thyroids may want to make a point of including goitrogens, which hypothyroid patients should avoid, into their diets and eat the freshest food available. Like hypothyroid patients, hyperthyroid and Grave's disease patients should avoid processed foods, sugars, and especially artificial sweeteners, the latter of which have been suspected of causing autoimmune disease.
Hyperthyroid patients should also obtain extra vitamins B, C, E and EFAs and ensure that they get extra calcium, magnesium and the amino acid carnitine.
Exercise
Regular walking allows thyroid patients to get physical exercise without putting too much strain on their heart, easily damaged muscles, or respiratory system.
Both hyper- and hypothyroid patients benefit from regular physical exercise. Both, however, must be careful that they do not overexert. Hyperthyroid patients must not put too much stress on their heart and respiratory system while both types must be cautious lest they cause muscle damage. Hypothyroid patients in particular are advised to focus on non-strenuous, mindful exercise such as dance, yoga, or meditative walking, with the regular addition of weight-bearing exercises.
Therapies
Various forms of massage and bodywork can help relieve thyroid patients of the physical pain many experience while also stimulating the endocrine system.
Those with thyroid disease can benefit from a variety of therapies, including osteopathic manipulation, accupressure, massage, reflexology and aromatherapy as well as counseling, support groups or journaling. Other forms of therapy that have helped patients feel better include art or music therapy, yoga, biofeedback, meditation, volunteering or dance as physical therapy.
Stress
Gardening is a good form of exercise for thyroid patients and it relieves stress.
Chronic stress results in constant elevation of the stress hormone cortisol, and this affects the conversion of T4 hormone to usable T3 hormone in the bloodstream. Therefore, it is vital that thyroid patients do what they can to reduce and relieve stress. This may require something as drastic as a job or career change or as simple as finding time to regularly engage in a non-competitive hobby, adopting a pet, or avoiding negative people. A good sense of humor and regular laughter release endorphins, reduce stress, and help provide patients with an overall feeling of well-being, so these may be incorporated into a thyroid wellness plan as well.
Cutting back on caffeine will reduce stress on the adrenals, themselves an important component in thyroid health. Thyroid patients, particularly hypothyroid patients, may need more sleep than others, often up to ten hours of sleep nightly, another reason to reduce caffeine consumption.
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