The thyroid gland has fascinated me for 25 years like no other organ. It is as small and delicate as a butterfly and at the same time so important for our health. It demonstrates the interdependence of mind and body and is an indicator of our inner balance. Our ability to regulate tension and cope with stress (resilience) has a direct effect on the thyroid gland. Many functional disorders and organ diseases of the thyroid are psychosomatic - and can only be regulated or controlled through holistic measures. Ayurvedic medicine can be a valuable companion for this.
Thyroid: Laboratory values and procedures of Western medicine must be interpreted Ayurvedically
Analysing thyroid hormones in the blood supplemented ayurvedic diagnostics and does not replace them. In Western medicine, attention is often focussed exclusively on the laboratory values and the subsequent hormone adjustment - the actual condition of the person concerned is pushed into the background.
The volume and internal structure of the organ can be assessed using an ultrasound examination. Nodules or cysts also become visible here, which can be assessed in a scintigram for further differentiation. All imaging procedures of Western medicine must be interpreted Ayurvedically and incorporated into the therapy.
In Ayurvedic thyroid diagnostics, we start with a detailed assessment of your subjectively perceived complaints and sensations and categorise them into the three dosha Vata, Pitta, Kapha and Agni. In the next step, we check which tissues are in deficiency or excess and how energy production from food (ojas), light (tejas) and breathing (prana) works.
The metabolic organ as an expression of Agni and Dosha
The main task of our butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck is metabolic regulation: thyroid hormones increase the basal metabolic rate (energy consumption at rest), body temperature and the breakdown of fats and glycogen (carbohydrate stores). The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are also important for heart function, length growth in children and brain maturation.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, many of these functions are an expression of our body fire Agni, which digests in the gastrointestinal tract, transforms nutrients and controls tissue metabolism. If agni increases, the thyroid gland works better and vice versa. Agni can be specifically influenced by our diet, lifestyle and the use of supplements.
Agni is also directly linked to the three forces Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which are also known as Dosha:
- A weakened Agni leads to an increase in Kapha with symptoms such as weight gain, tiredness, coldness and general slowing down. In Western medicine, these are signs of Hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism.
- A excessively strong Agni leads to an increase in Pitta with symptoms such as weight loss, excessive heat and sweating, diarrhoea and general acceleration. In western medicine we speak of a Hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism.
- A fluctuating Agni leads to an increase in Vata with symptoms such as weight loss, palpitations, trembling, restlessness and nervousness, sleep disorders and mood swings. We also find these symptoms in the Hyperfunction, which can therefore be categorised as a Vata-Pitta disorder. Some Vata symptoms are also present in Hypothyroidism These include dry skin, constipation, hoarseness, hair loss, cold, susceptibility to infections, lack of libido and infertility.
Thyroid gland in Ayurveda - expression of inner regulation
From an Ayurvedic perspective, everything is connected to everything else. From the big to the small: We humans are a microcosmic image of a macrocosmic principle and are directly connected to nature. Our life is an amalgamation of body, senses, mind and soul. Our body consists of structures (tissue, secondary tissue, waste products, pathways) and functions (Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Agni). These can be subdivided again. There are five subtypes of Vata, which all influence each other. If we therapeutically change the defecation (Apana Vata), this has a potential effect on the respiratory tract (Prana Vata) and the heart function (Vyana Vata).
The detailed knowledge of interdependencies is of outstanding importance in Ayurvedic medicine, both diagnostically and therapeutically. For this reason, we never treat only individual symptoms, but take into account the effects on the entire organism in all measures taken.
This fascinating ability of self-regulation becomes very clear in our thyroid organ.
The release of our thyroid hormones is subject to an intelligent control circuit between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland and blood.
The hypothalamus, located in the diencephalon, is the supreme regulatory centre for all neurovegetative and hormonal processes in the body. The hormone TRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce TSH, which in turn directly stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4. Receptors measure the T3/T4 blood level - if this rises, the production of TRH and TSH is inhibited in the sense of a negative feedback loop.
The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are also connected to the adrenal gland via the so-called HPA axis. This is centrally involved in the experience of stress via the production of the two most important hormones adrenaline and cortisol. If these are produced to an increased extent, there are possible effects on the thyroid gland (HPT axis).
Thyroid health checklist
You can use the following ten questions to check whether you have a thyroid disorder.
- Do you feel pressure or tightness in your throat, do you have difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath or persistent hoarseness?
- Have you lost or gained a lot of weight in the last few months?
- Do you feel a pronounced sensation of heat or cold?
- Do you feel overexcited, tense, restless, nervous and hippy?
- Do you feel slowed down, sluggish, lacking in drive, tired and lacking in energy?
- Do you suffer from a racing, stumbling or pounding heart? Is your blood pressure high or low?
- Do you have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep or are you constantly sleepy?
- Do you feel hungry and thirsty or do you lack both?
- Do you have diarrhoea-like stools or are you constipated?
- Do you suffer from severe anxiety or depression?
The more questions you can answer with YES, the more likely it is that you have a thyroid disorder. As a first step, have your T3, T4 and TSH hormones analysed in your blood and consult an experienced Ayurveda doctor. According to the initial results, further examinations will be carried out in stages and individualised therapy will be initiated.
Prevention and therapy with Ayurveda
Our thyroid gland loves peace, serenity, a regular rhythm, balanced exercise and food rich in vital substances.
Here are my top ten for a healthy thyroid:
- No thyroid hormone without iodineIodine deficiency leads to enlargement (goitre) of the gland, and over the years a nodular remodelling can develop. Instead of synthetic iodine in tablets or iodised salt, I recommend the Regular consumption of seaweed, which are available dried or pickled in organic food shops. Algae are the food richest in iodine and can be used directly by the thyroid gland to produce hormones. ImportantIf you have hyperthyroidism or an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland, you should refrain from eating foods containing iodine without consulting your therapist.
- Consume Daily changing vegetables, fruit and nuts (especially Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts) - this ensures a good supply of zinc and selenium.
- Limit your consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. and the Consumption of meat strongly reduced.
- Pay attention to a Regular nightly sleep rhythm with a duration of 6-8 hours daily according to your constitution. Shift your rhythm by a maximum of 1-2 hours on days off.
- Exercise every day, if possible in the fresh air. The balanced training combination of endurance, strength and flexibility balances all dosha.
- Yours Agni-Ojas cocktail in the morningMix 1 heaped teaspoon of Chyavanprash Amla Mus with ½ teaspoon of Pippali (long pepper) and 250ml of warm water (60°). This stimulates your metabolism and regulates the immune system.
- Yours Vata-Kapha tea in the eveningMix 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in 250ml of lemon balm leaf tea with 1 teaspoon of Sharkara cane sugar. This mixture prepares you for an optimal night's sleep.
- Lead Breathing exercises several times a day To do this, breathe calmly and deeply in a ratio of 4:5:1 counts (inhalation : exhalation : pause for breath). The „alternate breathing“ (Anuloma Viloma) and the „victorious breathing“ (Ujjayi) also have an effect on the thyroid gland.
- Pay attention to this, recognise and accept stressful thoughts, feelings, memories and sensations without identifying with them or influencing them. Every attempt at control leads to reinforcement and therefore stress on your nervous system.
- Meditate daily, at best in the morning and evening - at least 15 minutes. Enter the dimension of timelessness from doing to being. The effects on the hypothalamus and its axes of action have been proven in numerous studies.
Manifest thyroid disorders must first be professionally diagnosed and documented as they progress. If you suffer from a malfunction, nodule formation or autoimmune thyroid disease, I strongly advise against self-therapy.
Ayurvedic medicine offers a wide range of outpatient and inpatient treatments to restore a healthy metabolic state, balance the autonomic nervous system and support a stable immune system.
