Iodine
Supplementation
with iodine in high doses can
suppress the production of thyroid
hormones. Although, it has
been effective at
relieving the symptoms of
hyperthyroidism and has been
shown to block the conversion of
T4 to T3, the active form of the
hormone. Iodine therapy is one that
should only be used short term. After time, it can actually
increase the amount of hormones
being produced. In a clinical
trial, a saturated solution of
potassium iodide (SSKI) given for
10 days blocked conversion of T4
to T3 and reduced serum levels of
thyroid hormones. [5]
Melatonin
Melatonin is a
substance secreted by the pineal
gland in the brain. It plays a
role in sleep patterns and the
circadian rhythms of the body. Melatonin is also a potent
antioxidant and an effective free
radical scavenger in
hyperthyroidism. It has been
shown to suppress T4 production by
the thyroid gland. [6] Supplementation with melatonin is
also beneficial for insomnia,
which is a common symptom of
hyperthyroidism.
L-carnitine
Carnitine is an
amino acid that plays a pivotal
role in the production of energy
inside the cell. It is also
thought to be an antagonist of the thyroid
hormone action in the body, and
may actually inhibit thyroid
hormone entry into the liver, brain, and
fibroblast cells. In one study, supplementation with L-carnitine
for 6 months was shown to reverse
and prevent symptoms of
hyperthyroidism.
Carnitine also had
beneficial effects on bone
metabolism. [7]
Niacin
Niacin (Vitamin
B3, nicotinic acid) was shown in a
clinical trial to decrease the
concentration of serum thyroid
hormones in individuals who were
euthyroid (persons exhibiting normal levels). [8] Because no adverse effects of
supplementation were observed,
niacin may be an adjunctive
therapy for hyperthyroidism.
Niacin does, however, cause flushing
of the skin at high
doses. It may be wise to
use niacinamide, another form of
niacin, because it does not cause
flushing.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A and beta-carotene levels
in the blood of patients with
hyperthyroidism are often
decreased and supplementing with large amounts
of this particular vitamin
actually inhibits thyroid
function. The supplementation
of Vitamin A also
ameliorates the symptoms of
Grave's disease. [9] Vitamin A is a potent
antioxidant, which thwarts the oxidative stress
that is increased
in those with hyperthyroidism. [10,
11]
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a
potent anti-oxidant. It has been
shown in experimental studies to
be decreased in individuals with
excess thyroid hormone activity. Anti-thyroid drugs also cause a
decrease in serum Vitamin C. [12] Hyperthyroidism causes an increase
in oxidative stress and higher
levels of anti-oxidants like
Vitamin C are needed. Vitamin C
does not directly treat the
disease, but may be used to treat
the accompanying symptoms. In
certain clinical
trials, the oxidative stress markers
significantly declined in patients
with hyperthyroidism after
Vitamin C treatments were used
over a month's time.
Conversely, the participant's serum anti-oxidant markers
increased.[
13]
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an
anti-oxidant. It also functions
to stabilize cell membranes. It
can act as a free radical quencher
and decrease the damage caused by
oxidative stressors in hyperthyroid
patients. [14]
Botanical
therapies
Lycopus ssp,
Lithospermum officinale, and
Melissa officinalis have all been
proven to treat hyperthyroidism. The mechanism of action in
these botanicals, is the
blocking of TSH receptors on the
thyroid cells. This blockage
interferes with the internal signal
needed to produce
more thyroid hormone Lycopus
also blocks conversion of T4 to T3
in the peripheral tissues. These
three herbs have had repeated
success in treating Grave's
disease as well, because of
interruption of the Grave's
specific thyroid stimulating
immunoglobulin (the autoimmune
component). In fact, one study found that
freeze dried extracts of the three
herbs inhibited binding of TSH to
thyroid receptors by weakly
binding themselves. The
study also showed the decreased activity of the thyroid
stimulating immunoglobulin that is responsible for the increase in
thyroid hormone production in
Graves' disease patients. [15]
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