Hypothyroid symptoms & Kidney Yang Deficiency

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> I wonder if you have ever been checked (Western medicine) to see if

> there is any thyroid problem (some of these symptoms could possibly

> relate to a goiter and/or hypothyroid condition)? TCM does have

some

> formulas which may benefit some who have thyroid problems (although

> some may also require some sort of thyroid hormone support as well.

 

This is some additional information about symptoms of hypothyroidism

that do not resolve with thyroid supplementation. It turns out the

problem is fairly widespread, and some mainstream doctors are

starting to recognize the problem. The thyroid levels rise to normal

with supplementation, the symptoms are eased somewhat, but the person

is still having some problems with being too cold,

with " constipation " , with slowness, with edema, etc. even though the

blood tests are now normal.

 

In cases like these, suspect Kidney Yang Deficiency. Kidney Yang

Deficiency does NOT equal hypothyroidism, but both can be going on at

the same time. Kidney Yang Deficiency can be the Root underlying

hypothyroidism. There is an amazing overlap of symptoms between

hypothyroidism and Kidney Yang Deficiency. If both are present, the

person will need to see both a MD (or DO) and a TCM healer in order

to fully resolve the symptoms. One or the other won't be fully

effective.

 

Yang heats and activates the body. Another term for Yang Deficiency

is Deficiency Cold. The person feels cold because there is not

enough Yang to warm the body properly.

 

Cold also has the effect of slowing things down - pulse, movements,

and speech. In addition, the Kidneys play a key role in Fluid

physiology, and Kidney imbalance can be the Root of edema. The usual

cause of constipation is Heat and Dryness, but " constipation " also

can have a Root of Yang Deficiency. The consistency of the stools

will be different depending on the TCM Root(s). The stools of

constipation due to Heat and Dryness are hard and dry. Those of Yang

Deficiency are mushy and soft. The " constipation " of Kidney Yang

Deficiency might more properly be described as colonic inertia.

There is not enough Yang to properly activate bodily systems. (The

herb cayenne will increase peristalsis, the wave-like motions that

move fecal material through the intestines. But cayenne will deplete

Qi, so Qi tonic herbs and foods also will be needed.)

 

Thyroid problems can be complex from both a Western and a TCM

standpoint. Remember, hypothyroidism does not equate to Kidney Yang

Deficiency. Both may be present, and the Kidney Yang Deficiency may

very well be the Root of the underactive thyroid. But Kidney Yang

Deficiency may not be the Root or may not be the only Root. Some

cases of hypothyroidism develop as the result of an infection and

Heat. In many of these cases the person may be hyperthyroid first

and then become hypothyroid. There may be Latent Heat problems that

need to be addressed.

 

The best book I've found on thyroid problems from a Western

standpoint is Your Thyroid: A Home Reference by Lawrence C. Wood,

M.D., F.A.C.P., David S. Cooper, M.D., F.A.C.P., and E. Chester

Ridgway, M.D., F.A.C.P. (Ballantine/Health). The copy I have is very

old (1989), and there have been a lot of new discoveries since it was

published. I hope there is a more recent edition of the book because

it is extremely well-written and accesible to the general public.

Some science and health writers have the gift of explaining things

and presenting material in a way that is easy to understand and

follow. Wood, Cooper, and Ridgway have this talent in addition to

being very knowledgeable about thyroid problems.

 

Victoria