Thyroid Balancing: Boost Metabolism with Herbs and Acupuncture
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ at the front of your neck that can be responsible for two categories of disruptive conditions: Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism involves an overactive thyroid gland while Hypothyroidism involves the opposite.
Traditional Chinese medicine views these conditions as Yin/Yang imbalances. Herbal medicines and acupuncture can be utilized to modulate this imbalance and support proper thyroid hormone production.
Chinese herbs and acupuncture for thyroid support
For example, a kidney yin tonic (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) is a herbal formula often used to support hyperthyroidism while a kidney yang tonic (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wang), is a herbal formula often used to support hypothyroidism.
Herbs for Hyperthyroidism Support
A variety of studies have explored Chinese herbs for hyperthyroidism support and the modulation of affected thyroid hormones. Traditional Chinese herbs utilized for hyperthyroidism support include Rehmannia (shu di huang), Dioscorea (sha nyao), and Cornus (shan zhu yu).
Chinese herbs and acupuncture for thyroid support
A preliminary study in 1999 evaluated Chinese herbs in thirteen patients with Grave’s disease. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disorder and a common cause of hyperthyroidism.
These patients were either treated with conventional anti-thyroid drugs or a combination of these pharmaceuticals with Chinese herbs for 2-10 weeks. Compared with the group treated only with the anti-thyroid prescriptions, the size of the thyroid decreased significantly in the group receiving the Chinese herbs.
The reduction in size correlated to cell apoptosis, where excess thyroid hormone-producing cells died. This study is notably a preliminary study with a small sample size and non-randomized however, the results support the potential for Chinese herbs to strengthen the therapeutic effects of conventional Grave’s disease treatment.
A systemic review in 2007 of thirteen trials with 1770 participants concluded that the addition of traditional Chinese herbal medicines to conventional treatment had a therapeutic benefit to individuals with hyperthyroidism. The studies varied significantly so further studies are necessary for a specific clinical recommendation.
A randomized controlled trial in 2011 observed the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicines on patients with hyperthyroidism. A treatment group received the herbs, which were intended to calm the liver and suppress yang, while the control group received thiamazole tablets. Thiamazole is a pharmaceutical medication prescribed for hyperthyroidism.
The researchers measured thyroid hormones, ultrasound of the thyroid, electrocardiogram, and any noted side effects in both groups. Both the control group and treatment group experienced reductions in symptoms, with the treatment group producing significantly fewer amount of side effects.
The difference in the symptom reductions between the groups was not statistically significant. Therefore, the study did not conclude that one option was more therapeutic because the difference between the two was not statistically significant. This finding could suggest that traditional Chinese herbal medicines are comparable therapeutic options to thiamazole.
Cinnamon (rou gui) is a spice that you might be surprised to see mentioned here. Cinnamon has several powerful effects on energy metabolism. Since thyroid hormones are involved in metabolism, researchers have explored if cinnamon could therefore impact thyroid hormones.
In 2016, an animal study treated rats with cinnamon water. The cinnamon supplementation lowered serum total T3 levels. High T3 levels are clinically indicative of hyperthyroidism.
Chinese herbs and acupuncture for thyroid support
Two case reports published in Explore in 2021 revealed two successful interventions with Chinese herbal medicine for hyperthyroidism. The two individuals received the Chinese herbal formula Jia Wei Xia Yao San (JWXYS).
After 8-10 months, elevated thyroid hormone levels were restored to normal. Neither patient experienced side effects during the treatment. While a small sample size, these two cases support further exploration of this herb as a first choice or adjunct therapy for hyperthyroidism.
Herbs for Hypothyroidism Support
In traditional Chinese medicine, hypothyroidism can evolve from a spleen Qi deficiency and spleen yang deficiency. The herbal formula Si Jun Zi Tang has been recommended to balance Qi and promote circulation in the area. Herbs including Gan Jian (zingiberis rz) have been utilized to warm the yang and strengthen the spleen.
Current studies exploring these herbs are limited but several studies are currently ongoing. For example, the study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, and controlled clinical trial including 228 patients with mild subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was published in 2018.
The participants would be randomly assigned to receive a Chinese herbal formula called Shuganjianpihuatanxingqi decoction (SD) for 12 weeks or a placebo. The study primarily would measure thyroid-stimulating hormone levels along with the thyroid-related quality of life questionnaires.
Acupuncture for Thyroid Balance
Chinese herbs and acupuncture for thyroid support
Through modulation of over or underactive activities in the body, acupuncture can help regulate thyroid dysfunction. A review in 2018 explored 29 clinical products including 1757 patients with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid-relevant illnesses.
The studies indicated reductions in patient symptoms and improvements in biomarkers for their thyroid conditions. This review is one of many highlighting acupuncture as an alternative or adjunctive therapy to conventional thyroid disease management.
An animal study in 2018 measured the effects of acupuncture with MOK, a polyherbal medicine, on hypothyroidism. MOK traditionally contains 10 Chinese herbs. The MOK pharmacopuncture significantly decreased the thyroid-stimulating hormone level and increased the T3 and T4 levels.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid-stimulating hormone is traditionally elevated while the thyroid hormone, T4, is low. While this study is limited as an animal study, the direct outcome measurement suggests the potential for the therapy to be utilized to support thyroid hormone balance.
A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial was just published this year. This study will explore acupuncture for the management of Hashimoto thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that will cause hypothyroidism. 60 patients will be recruited.
The main targets of this study are thyroid antibody level and the quality of life of Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism. Since currently there is limited published research on acupuncture and hypothyroidism, these results will be exciting to see!
Take-Aways
Chinese medicine holds significant potential for supporting the thyroid in its production of thyroid hormones. The studies listed are only just beginning to show the data and support for herbs and acupuncture as adjunctive or alternative therapies.
Acupuncture has even been found to be beneficial after thyroid surgery in this randomized controlled study.