Efficacy of Ayurvedic Interventions in Hypothyroidism: A Comprehensive Review

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences

Author
1. Jayram Hazra
2. Lalrin Puia
3. Amit K Dixit
4. Sudesh N Gaidhani
5. Mrinmoy Sarkar
6. Manajit Bora
ISSN
2456-5601
DOI
10.5005/jras-10064-0090
Volume
3
Issue
4
Publishing Year
2019
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
    1. Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
    1. Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
    1. Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
    1. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi, India
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Thyroid disorders have been one among the most challenging and most common endocrine disorders that we confront worldwide. Major thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter/iodine deficiency, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. Among these, hypothyroidism is arguably the most challenging as its multifarious clinical presentation often goes unnoticed. Hypothyroidism can be attributed to the deficiency of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), in the body. Mild or subclinical hypothyroidism refers to the condition where peripheral thyroid hormone levels are within normal range, but serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are mildly elevated. Data to date are scarce that include direct experimental, pharmacological, or preclinical types of evidence of treating hypothyroidism with Ayurvedic and herbal drugs. The scope of this manuscript covers the utility of conventional Ayurveda or herbal drugs in ameliorating the pathophysiological symptoms of hypothyroidism. Treatment strategies have been evolving since the early and mid-twentieth century, starting from using the whole thyroid extract to the modern-day thyroxine monotherapy by L-thyroxine. Despite these advances, there remains a considerably large population who endure the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Various assortments of formulations are available for such conditions in Ayurveda system of medicine since the very early days of civilization. In Ayurveda, though there are not any direct reference of thyroid, Galaganda and Gandamala, which possess symptomatic similarities with thyroid disorders, have been mentioned frequently in the texts. With the present data available, it is concluded that natural resources around can be utilized for the prevention and amelioration of hypothyroidism in mammals.

    © 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved