It has an exotic name, was discovered over 100 years ago by a Japanese pathologist and is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism in adults: in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the body's own defence system produces antibodies against thyroid proteins for unknown reasons and causes chronic inflammation.
More than 10% of the German population are affected, women around ten times more frequently than men and 75% of patients are unaware of their „misfortune“. The disease usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50, gradually and unnoticed - its non-specific initial symptoms are often misinterpreted as menopausal symptoms.
„For years, “Hashimoto's" has been one of the most common conditions with which patients visit my practice for Ayurvedic medicine. Many of them are desperate and do not feel understood, neither by the doctors treating them nor by their family and friends.
And there is a good reason for this: the complexity of the disease with recurring physical and psychological stress is often underestimated. Hormones can alleviate, but not cure. Accepting the pronounced fluctuations costs those affected a great deal of strength. Ayurveda cannot perform miracles, but it can provide a holistic understanding of the world of Hashimoto's patients. The common goal is: balance within imbalance.
From hyperfunction to hypofunction
Excessive production of thyroid hormones can occur at the beginning, and the resulting hyperthyroidism is called hyperthyroidism. Hashitoxicosis called. Those affected experience very stressful symptoms such as restlessness, nervousness, trembling, sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, cravings, weight loss and sleep disorders.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, a massively irritated Vata Dosha stimulates Agni and Pitta, both of which fuel each other. The inadequate nourishment of the body tissues (dhatukshaya) further increases vata and a vicious circle is created.
As the disease progresses, there is usually progressive destruction of the ever-shrinking thyroid tissue. The fewer cells there are, the fewer hormones are produced. Weight gain, listlessness, exhaustion, sensitivity to cold, joint and muscle pain, cycle disorders, susceptibility to infections, digestive disorders and loss of libido are possible consequences.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, at this stage the system shifts from Vata-Pitta-Agni hyperfunction to Agni weakening and an increase in Kapha. Unfortunately, Vata and Pitta can also remain elevated, causing a so-called Sannipataja disruption of all three dosha. The symptoms are often experienced as fluctuating, depending on the current dosha dominance.
A blood test usually shows elevated autoantibodies (TPO-AK, TG-AK) and the thyroid-stimulating hormone TSH is elevated. The hypothyroidism must and can be compensated for by hormone replacement. This reduces TSH and the thyroid function is externally balanced (euthyroid). Some symptoms experience direct relief, others remain unchanged. Now there is a gap between the „good laboratory result“ and the modest feeling of those affected.
Understanding Hashimoto's ayurvedically
We realise the complexity of the chronic disease when we diagnose it ayurvedically. The following parameters can be recorded in the development of the disease (Samprapti):
- VishamagniThe state of the body's fire varies depending on the current thyroid function. With hypothyroidism Agni, It is too strong with hyperfunction. This is why food cravings often alternate with loss of appetite.
- SannipatajaSymptoms of increased Vata, Pitta and Kapha alternate as described above. The smaller the thyroid gland, the more pronounced the hypothyroidism with Kapha symptoms, unless adequate hormone replacement has taken place.
- Dhatukshaya | DhatuvrddhiIn the hyperthyroid stage, the body tissues are reduced in quantity. If the thyroid goes into hypothyroidism, the tissues rasa (nutrient juice) and meda (fat) increase in quantity but decrease in quality.
- Malavibandha: As the duration of the disease increases, the elimination of waste products such as faeces, urine and sweat is impaired.
- Ama | SrotorodhaThe increasing weakening of Agni results in Ama, residues from inadequate digestion and metabolism. This blocks circulation pathways (srotas), which leads to poorer supply and disposal of the tissues.
Avoiding causes and providing holistic support for Hashimoto's
The causes of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are largely unexplained from a Western perspective; a genetic predisposition is suspected. Infections, chronic stress, increased iodine intake and hormone fluctuations during pregnancy or the menopause are discussed as triggering factors.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, autoimmune diseases are seen as a disorder of mind-body interaction. Three superordinate mental faculties are the power of discrimination (buddhi), the power of restraint (dhriti) and the power of memory (smriti).
These three forces control our cell intelligence and are closely linked to the immune system. In the event of a loss (bhramsha), we can no longer distinguish our self (the thyroid gland) from non-self (a pathogen), we can no longer control harmful immune reactions and the memory function is disrupted by false antibody activities.
For this reason, every immunological disease in Ayurveda is also diagnosed and treated psychologically. In my work, I therefore identify chronic stressors and coping strategies, analyse values and their significance in daily activities and develop a goal-oriented realignment together with the patient, taking into account the greatest possible flexibility. After 20 years in practice, I realise that the greater the loving self-acceptance, the less auto-aggression there is in the body.
Physically, Ayurveda considers the causes of disease in a unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Possible dietary factors can include excessive meat consumption, irritants such as alcohol or spicy fried foods, unhealthy food combinations such as milk with sour foods and eating too many meals without adequate prior digestion. Ayurvedic nutritional counselling always takes into account the individual constitution and current health status.
One Lifestyle change can slow down the progression of thyroid inflammation and reduction. In my consultation, I always start by optimising sleep times, personal daily rhythms, harmonious breathing, balanced exercise and healthy tension and relaxation.
Herbal food supplements from the Ayurvedic family of forms can support healthy thyroid function, minimise the need for medication and reduce side effects and hormonal fluctuations. Traditional formulations include Guggulu Vati (e.g. Kanchanara, Triphala, Yogaraja, Kaishora), elixirs (Asava and Arishta), powder mixtures (Churna) and tableted/capsulated extracts. Ask an experienced therapist to customise your treatment for you.
Also Outpatient manual therapies such as oil massages, forehead pours and herbal stamps as well as Inpatient Ayurveda cures can regulate the immune system, eliminate accumulated residues and strengthen body and mind in the long term.
Hashimoto's is a chronic disease with many faces. Despite all the therapeutic challenges, it also harbours the potential to live more consciously, to accept one's own weaknesses and yet to shape one's own life flexibly. Ayurvedic medicine can provide you with impressive support on this path.
With best regards from Bad Homburg,
Ralph Steuernagel
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