The Thyroid Gland is positioned in the throat region, it’s about two inches long and butterfly
shaped. Iodine is an element required by the body to make the thyroid hormones and as
our body can not produce Iodine it must be consumed. It is the Iodine within our food that
is used to make the thyroid hormones such as Triiodothyronine (also known as T3) and
Thyroxine (also known as T4). There is a gland located inside the brain which is called the
Pituitary gland which releases the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and it’s this hormone
which governs the formation of the T3 and T4 hormones. So when there is a rise in the
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) the T3 and T4 levels will also rise.
Within the Thyroid Gland are Epithelial Cells that secrete the T3, T4 and Calcitonin
hormones. It is the T3 and T4 hormones that regulate the bodies metabolism while it is the
Calcitonin that regulates the calcium levels in the blood. The Thyroid hormone stimulates
the body tissues to produce protein and also increases oxygen usage of cells. It is the
deficiency of Thyroid hormones that leads to Hypothyroidism.
So, Hypothyroidism is preferably caused by a low intake of the Thyroid Hormone or the
body’s limited response to the nutrients through low absorption. Additionally, there are
foods that can block the absorption of Iodine like Broccoli, Peanuts, Soy and Cabbage etc.
These food types are called Goitrogens. Goitrogens are naturally occurring substances and
get their name from the term “Goiter” which means enlargement of the thyroid gland. In
Hypothyroidism usually it is the TSH that is high and T4 is that is low.
Ayurveda’s view on Hypothyroidism
In Ayurveda Ojas refers to our Natural Immunity or Vitality and is like our energy store.
The functions of our body revolve around the body humors and when Vata and Pitha
become imbalanced they deplete Ojas and at the same time push Kapha out of balance.
Kapha dosha is predominantly high in Hypothyroidism as the Vata dosha influences the
Kapha dosha to accumulates in the Srotas (microchannels) around the Thyroid Gland and
blocks the gland of nutrition.
Managing Hypothyroidism with Ayurveda
Vata and Kapha should be balanced to help manage the condition of Hypothyroidism and at
the same time increasing the bodies Ojas. Rasayana herbs act as rejuvenators and should
be used to help build Ojas and maintain nutrition within the body and the Agni (digestive
fire) should be increased for better metabolic rate resulting in better absorption and
assimilation of nutrients. A person with Hypothyroidism will usually suffer from anxiety, lack
of sleep or depression.
Some Causes of Hypothyroidism
1.) Inflammation of thyroid gland
2.) Thyroxine Binding Globulin (TBG) deficiency
3.) Hashimoto Thyroiditis or Autoimmune Thyroiditis
4.) Family history
5.) Chronic Deficiency of Iodine
6.) Congenital hypothyroidism
7.) Chronic Deficiency of Iodine
8.) Radiation Therapy for Thyroid Gland
9.) Pituitary Gland Failure to secrete TSH