Hyperthyroidism is the primary manifestation of a group of diseases characterized by an over-active thyroid gland and increased production of thyroid hormone. Major symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: rapid heartbeat resulting in palpitations; heat intolerance or sweating; emotional symptoms including but not limited to irritability, anxiety and insomnia; tremors; exhaustion; softer, finer hair; hair loss; easy bruising; lighter and more infrequent menstrual periods; muscle weakness; eye problems such as itching, watering, bulging and double vision; and weight loss.

Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, accounts for more than 80% of all cases of hyperthyroidism.  This points to looking for the cause of the inflammation. An over-active thyroid can also result from a toxic goiter condition seen most frequently in women over 60, or from taking too much synthetic thyroid hormone.

Western treatments include irradiation of the thyroid, surgical removal of the thyroid, and pharmaceutical preparations.  Due to the danger of vision loss and heart damage, Graves’ Disease should always be managed and monitored by a licensed physician.

Herbal Treatment of Hyperthyroidism

Herbalists use bugleweed and other Lycopus species plants in tincture form to treat hyperthyroid symptoms (Tincture form, 30 drops twice a day). Animal research supports its effect on reducing blood levels of thyroid hormones (Winterhoff  et al., 1994). According to Dr. Duke (Jim Duke's medical botany course), many studies suggest that herbs rich in rosmarinic acid, such as bugleweed, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and verbena (V. species) may possess “amphithyroid” qualities.  This means they may be capable of acting on the thyroid in either direction, exciting hypoactive and depressing hyperactive thyroids.  Although not certain, it suggests that these herbs may be used to treat both conditions—a fascinating possibility.  Dr. Duke also tells us that broccoli contains phyto-chemicals that are capable of reducing thyroid hormone production (Duke, 1999).

Chinese doctors believe that hyperthyroidism is a Yin deficiency syndrome with deficiency heat signs, and they primarily use self-heal (Prunella vulgaris or xie ku cao).  Use this in a high dose—it should comprise about 20% of your total formula.  Interestingly, this herb also contains rosmarinic acid. A typical TCM hyperthyroid formula might include self-heal , raw and cooked rehmannia, fritillaria bulb (chuan bei mu or F. cirrhosa), scrophularia root (xuan shen or S. ningpoensis), glehnia root (sha shen or Adenophora tetraphylla), scute root, coptis rhizome and phellodendron bark. On a personal note, between 1999 and 2001 we treated three patients in our clinic with a combination of these herbs and nutrients. All three patients have experienced a gradual cessation of symptoms and improvement in blood test results, and they have been able to avoid surgery thus far. Two cases seem to have stabilized on a maintenance dosage of herbs.

It is difficult to express how grateful patients in danger of losing their thyroid glands are when they discover herbs can prevent this. However, while the inflammation of the thyroid can sometimes (not always) be calmed down, the secondary problem of eye inflammation (Grave's ophthalmopathy) is another matter.  It is caused by a reaction between antibodies and proteins in eye muscle and the connective tissue and fat in the orbit around the eyeball, and can sometimes continue independently even after the thryoid itself calms down. While sometimes this problem burns itself out on its own (usually less than 24 months), it sometimes continues regardless of what is done to the thyroid, and becomes a big problem that requires steroids or an operation to relieve the pressure. Once the eye inflammation "burns" itself out, it rarely recurs. In my experience, herbal treatments do not have a strong effect here, but sometimes using enzyme therapy can help.

• Research note: A study of 89 cases of hyperthyroidism and 20 cases of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis were analyzed via blood tests to check for correlation with TCM differentiations. In patients with Yin deficiency, the T3 and T4 hormone levels were higher than normal, and the TSH lower than normal. In patients with Yang deficiency, the T3 and T4 hormone levels were lower than normal, and the TSH higher than normal. This study showed that the TCM differentiations were almost exactly correlated with Western diagnosis (Chen et al., 1990).