Related Health Condition
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Hypothyroidism
Introduction
Hypothyroidism, is most commonly seen in adults, particularly in women, it is characterized by a reduced basal metabolic rate, fatigue, lethargy, aversion to cold, and menstrual disorders. If untreated, the disease can develop into mucous edema. In traditional Chinese medicine, hypothyroidism falls into the categories of goiter, five kinds of retardation, consumptive disease, and edema.
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Hypothyroidism is a chronic disease. Its root cause lies in kidney-yang deficiency, subpar performance of the vital function, and insufficient supply of essence and blood. The condition is marked by lingering illnesses, and by an alternating deficiency of various internal organs. By and large, though, deficiencies of the heart, spleen, and kidney are the predominant triggering causes. (1)
Primary Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Ingredients
Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), Fu Zi (Aconite), Rou Gui (Cinnaon Bark), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Lu Jiao Jiao (Cervi Cornu), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Du Zhong (Eucommia), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Dang Gui (Dang Gui)
Clinical Application:
A modification of Shen Qi Wan was used to treat 20 cases of hypothyroidism. The modified formula consisted of Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Ze Xie (Alisma), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Fu Zi (Aconite), Che Qian Zi (Placenta), and Mu Tong (Akebia). The results: 12 cases significantly improved, 7 cases improved, and the remaining 1 case did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 95%. (2)
Other Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Shen Qi Fu Gui Tang
Shen Qi Fu Gui Tang was used to treat 38 cases of hypothyroidism. The formula consisted of Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Rong Gui (Cinnamon Bark) powder, Fu Zi (Aconite), Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), and Zhi Gan Cao (processed Licorice). Modifications of the formula were made to better suit individual patients’ conditions. One dose of the formula was administered twice a day, and one course of treatment lasted a month. While under treatment with this formula, no Western medication was taken. The results: after two courses of treatment, the patients’ symptom index (the normal value is under 5) fell from 24.8 ± 5.2 to 5.0 ± 3.1 (P
Shen Qi Wan
A modification of Shen Qi Wan was used to treat 20 cases of hypothyroidism. The modified formula consisted of Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Ze Xie (Alisma), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Fu Zi (Aconite), Che Qian Zi (Plantain), and Mu Tong (Akebia). The results: 12 cases significantly improved, 7 cases improved, and 1 case did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 95%. (3)
Dang Shen, Fu Ling, Xian Mao, Yin Yang Huo, Ba Ji Tian, Chuan Shan Jia, Chuang Xiong, Huang Qi, Sheng Di Huang, and Shu Di Huang
One study treated 49 cases of adult hypothyroidism by strengthening yang, invigorating qi, and activating the blood with a formula consisting of the following herbs: Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Xian Mao (Curculigo), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda), Chuan Shan Jia (processed Anteater Scales), Chuang Xiong (Cnidium), Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), and Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia). One dose of the formula was administered twice a day (in the morning and in the evening). A control group of 50 cases was treated with thyroxin tablets (15-30mg taken daily in the morning). One course of treatment lasted a month for both groups. The results: of the treatment, 38 cases recovered, 6 cases significantly improved, 3 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96%; of the control group, the corresponding numbers were: 30, 16, 4, 0, and 100%. (4)
Ren Shen, Fu Zi, Gui Zhi, Huang Qi, and Gan Cao
Another study treated 36 cases of hypothyroidism with a formula consisting the following qi-invigorating and yang-warming herbs: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Fu Zi (cooked Aconite), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Huang Qi (Astragalus root), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Modifications were made as follows: for patients with edema or hedropericardium, Fu Ling (Hoelen) and Bai Zhu (Shite Atractylodes) were added to the formula; for patients with amenia, Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus) and Dan Shen (Salvia) were added; for patients with oliochronemia, Dang Gui (Dang Gui) was added. One dose of the formula was administered daily, and four weeks constituted one course of treatment. The results: 21 cases recovered, 5 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 94.44%. (5)
Er Cao Ren Shen Tang
Er Cao Ren Shen Tang (which contains Gan Cao (Licorice), Ren Shen (Ginseng), and Jin Qian Cao (Glechoma)) was used to treat 55 cases of hypothyroidism. The results: 38 cases significantly improved, 15 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96.4%. (6)
Acupunture & Acupressure
Acupuncture was used to treat 10 cases of coma due to myxedema (coma due to hypothyroidism). The patient was laid down on a flat surface to keep the respiratory tract unobstructed, and acupuncture treatment was applied on the following acupoints: Ren Zhong (Du 26), Zhong Chong (P 9), He Gu (LI 4), Zu San Li (St 36), and relevant otopoints (Shen Men (H 7), those related to the heart, brain, etc.). At the same time, the patients were treated with hormones, vitamin C, potassium chloride, thyroxin, and other medicine. After coma had been alleviated, the patients were further treated with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. The results: all patients responded well to the treatment and all significantly improved. (7)
Acupuncture was used to treat 14 cases of hypothyroidism in patients recovering from serious brain injuries. Scalp acupuncture was applied at both the front slant (from Qian Ting (Du 21) to Xuan Li (GB 6)) and the rear slant of the temple (from Bai Hui (Du 20) to Qu Bin (GB 7)) on the side where intracranial hemorrhage occurred. For postoperation patients, acupuncture was applied at both the front and rear slants of the temple (from Qian Ting (Du 21) to Bai Hui (Du 20) and from Feng Fu (Du 16) to Ya Man (Du 15)) on the unoperated side. The needles were retained for an hour after insertion. In addition, body acupuncture was applied on Jian Yu (LI 15), Qu Chi (LI 11), Nei Guan (P 6) and He Gu (LI 4) in the upper limbs, and on Huan Tiao (GB 30), Zu San Li (St 36), Cheng Shan (UB 57) and San Yin Jiao (Sp 6) in the lower limbs. The uniform reinforcing-reducing method was in maneuvering the needles, and the needles were retained for 30 minutes. One course of treatment consisted of 15 sessions. The results: the thyroid function improved in all patients; in particular, T4, FT 4 (P
References
- Li Chang Du, et al. 32 cases of primary hypothyroidism treated with Yi Qi Wen Yang Tang. Sichuan Journal of TCM. 1997;15(8):22-23.
- Li Wen Jing, et al. TCM clinical and experimental research on hypothyroidism. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1998;13(6):39-41.
- Li Wen Jing, et al. Treating hypothyroidism with Chinese herbs: A review. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1998; 13(6):39-41.
- Wang Bao Lin. 49 cases of adult hypothyroidism treated with yang-strengthening, qi-invigorating, and blood-activating herbs. Journal of New TCM. 1999;31(3):30.
- Geng Xiao Yin. Treating hypothyroidism with qi-invigorating and yang-warming herbs. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1996;37(11):687.
- Li Wen Jing, et al. Treating hypothyroidism with Chinese herbs: A review. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1998; 13(6):39-41.
- Wang Xiu Jie, et al. Treating coma due to myxedema (coma due to hypothyroidism) with acupuncture. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 1998;14(4):25-26.
