Natural Ways to Treat an Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroid)

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The thyroid is the largest of the hormone producing glands. It is shaped like a butterfly and located at the front of the throat. The thyroid works with the pituitary, parathyroid, adrenals, and ovaries to moderate metabolism, protein synthesis, and bone density.

When the thyroid produces too little or too much of its hormones health issues will certainly arise. If too little is produced one’s inner fire or yang energy is depleted and burns too slowly. This could lead to symptoms such as lethargy, weight gain, a persistent feeling of being cold, dry skin or hair, hair loss, brittle nails, poor memory, depression, and constipation.

I treat hypothyroidism frequently in my practice using acupuncture, herbs, and with dietary advice. If you’re thyroid is low, but not low enough to require medication, there are things you can do to help your thyroid and to stoke that inner fire.

How Do I know if I Have an Underactive Thyroid?

  • Take the iodine challenge: Paint tincture of iodine on a patch of skin on your inner arm. If it disappears within an hour, you need more iodine which means your thyroid is probably unhappy.

  • Test your basal body temperature: For one month, first thing before getting out of bed, take your temperature with a basal body thermometer. Ideally, readings should be between 97.8 and 98.2. If you consistently read below these levels, it could mean you have an underactive thyroid. Ovulation, infection, or alcohol consumption the night before, can affect basal body temps.

  • Have your doctor test your thyroid levels: Tests that measure TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) can reveal hypothyroidism.

How To Help an Underactive Thyroid

  • Nettle Seed: (1/2 teaspoon/1 ml a day)

  • Gingseng Root Extract

  • Red Clover Infusion

  • Foods rich in iodine, manganese, and tyrosine: Seaweed supplies the first two; look for tyrosine in aged cheeses and meats, small amounts of alcohol, yeast containing foods, bananas, almonds, avocado, pumpkin, and sesame seeds (CAUTION: Limit tyrosine-rich foods if you are on an MAO inhibitor.)

  • Kelp: such as wakame, kombu, or nereocystis can be used for an underactive thyroid or with partial thyroidectomies. Use a high-quality powdered kelp or snack on dried pieces: 3-5 grams per day or an ounce or more of dry kelp each week added into cooked food.

  • Avoid Fluoride and Chlorine: which are found in tap water and in toothpaste. These elements block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland. Drink steam-distilled water.

  • Eat Warming Foods & Spices: Lamb, garlic, soups, pepper, mustard, cumin, fennel, basil, onions, chives, scallions, saffron, chili pepper, wasabi, wormwood, and leeks

  • Avoid Cold and Raw Foods

  • B-12, Selenium, Zinc,

  • Ashwaganda: Use with caution if you have an autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s.

Herbal MedicineSarah JohnsonHypothyroid, AcupunctureComment