If you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you know how much this condition can impact your overall health. Treating hypothyroidism naturally is an important first step, in order for your body to regain its normal functioning in the best possible way.
So – as a first line of attack, hormone replacement medication is the standard treatment for thyroid dysfunction. But while synthetic HRT is not entirely “natural”, BHRT is as natural as you’ll get. It’s made from plant extracts to be an exact match to – and immediately acceptable by – your own hormones.
So – do look into BHRT.
However, as a second line of attack, integrative medicine and functional nutrition may also help in treating your hypothyroidism naturally.
So, in this article, we’re going to look at some further natural hypothyroidism treatments that can support your thyroid function, manage symptoms, and improve your overall wellbeing.
Bear in mind it’s best to work closely with your integrative healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that suits your specific needs.
That’s because our selection of other natural remedies for hypothyroidism is not meant to replace prescribed medication such as BHRT but offer complementary strategies to your treatment, targeting the root causes of your condition and improving your overall health.
But before listing our top additional natural treatment approaches for hypothyroidism, let’s first understand this condition and the main symptoms that may influence your quality of life.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones – responsible for regulating many of your body functions, including metabolism, heart rate, and temperature control. The opposite is hyperthyroidism. Both issues are common and you can read more about both here.
Hypothyroidism may result from an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. But there are other causes for hypothyroidism, which include genetics, diet, or a dysfunction in the pituitary gland in the brain that fails to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – which is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland.
In all cases, this condition causes a hormone imbalance that directly impacts your body functions.
Some of the main hypothyroidism symptoms include the following:
- Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue and weakness
- Constipation
- Depression and mood swings
- Cold intolerance
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Slowed heart rate
- Dry skin and hair
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Impaired memory and concentration
If you suspect you have hypothyroidism, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. This involves medical history evaluation, a physical examination, and blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels.
5 Ways of Treating Hypothyroidism Naturally
As mentioned, the treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves hormone replacement therapy using synthetic thyroid hormones, usually levothyroxine – an oral medication with adjustable dosage based on your hormone levels and symptoms.
However, with the help of BHRT, integrative medicine, and a functional nutritionist, you can also address the underlying causes of your hypothyroidism and the symptoms naturally. Why not support your hormone treatment and live as normal and healthy a life as possible?
Here are a few natural approaches you may try to relieve symptoms and start feeling better:
1 Diet
One of the causes of hypothyroidism is poor diet and malnutrition because some foods may trigger hormone imbalance. But others support thyroid health.
A well-balanced diet, including foods rich in minerals essential for thyroid function, such as iodine, selenium, and zinc, may help support your thyroid function. You may also see some benefits from trying a gluten-free and sugar-free diet.
Here are some examples of food you can include in your diet for the best results.
Iodine-rich foods:
- Seaweed
- Seafood
- Yogurt
Selenium-rich foods:
- Brazil nuts
- Eggs
- Tuna
Zinc-rich foods:
- Oysters
- Pumpkin seeds
- Grass-fed beef
2 Stress management
Chronic stress can impact your thyroid function and worsen your hypothyroidism. However, if you engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, or hobbies you enjoy, you can help manage your stress levels and promote your overall wellbeing.
Acupuncture is another efficient way of managing stress while helping balance your thyroid hormones. Recent studies have shown the benefits of acupuncture practice for supporting thyroid function and improving thyroid hormone markers.
3 Regular exercise
It’s no news that physical activity benefits overall health! But it also supports thyroid function. Regular exercise can trigger metabolism and energy levels, helping you deal with weight gain and any difficulty in losing weight – two main symptoms of hypothyroidism.
However, it’s important to find a balance, as excessive exercise may negatively impact the thyroid gland in some cases So moderation is key (but not an excuse!).
4 Supplements
Some herb supplements, such as ashwagandha and guggul, traditionally support thyroid function. Other supplements that may help with your hypothyroidism include B vitamins and probiotics.
But it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplement, as they can interact with medications or have side effects.
5 Get enough sleep
Prioritizing sufficient sleep and establishing a consistent, quality sleep routine can contribute to your overall health and wellbeing and help you manage any symptoms of hypothyroidism.
How Integrative Medicine Helps You Treat Hypothyroidism Naturally
The effectiveness of these natural approaches varies among individuals, and their impact on treating hypothyroidism might be modest.
But that’s also why a functional nutritionist can help create a personalized health plan to target your body’s unique nutritional and hormonal needs, testing and monitoring your progress over time.
So – what does that look like?
At Nava Health, as part of our integrative medicine approach, a functional nutritionist will investigate the root causes of your hypothyroidism, combining conventional medical practices such as BHRT with evidence-based complementary natural therapies to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your hypothyroidism effectively.
Ready to Complement Your Hypothyroidism Treatment with Natural Remedies? Nava Can Help
Feeling constantly tired, struggling with weight, and having mood swings due to hypothyroidism is no fun. But you don’t have to settle for that.
Our team of expert integrative practitioners and certified functional nutritionists work with you to offer an individualized approach to managing your hypothyroidism and optimizing your overall health.
Nava’s holistic approach to medicine addresses the relationship between nutrition and lifestyle when treating hypothyroidism, combining bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with natural treatment suggestions to improve your wellbeing and restore your 100%.
You deserve to regain control over your health! Schedule a consultation today and learn how we can help you treat hypothyroidism naturally.
A Medical Director, and one of the first physicians to join the Nava Health & Vitality Center, Dr. Douglas Lord has made significant contributions to our Center and its founding principles. Dr. Lord has helped develop and implement the Nava Method™—Nava’s proprietary approach to total body wellness. He has also been instrumental in liaising with other expert practitioners to successfully implement Nava’s range of therapies, treatments, and products.