Natural Home Remedies for Thyroid to Treat at Home

Data from 2017 reveals that every third of India’s life is affected by some kind of thyroid disorder. This means that one in three Indians’ thyroid glands either over-produces or under-produces hormones. In our country, the latter—known as hypothyroidism—is the most common. Thyroid home remedies address the root cause of the disorder and keep thyroid problems under control.

When hypothyroidism goes untreated, over time it gives rise to problems such as fatigue, swelling in joints and muscles, menstrual irregularities, poor kidney function, digestive issues, nerve injuries, heart problems, infertility, pregnancy complications, and in dire circumstances, even death. This is why it is important to consult with a doctor and follow the treatment prescribed to you to keep thyroid problems under control. 

What are the different home remedies for Thyroid?

Use coconut oil

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, which aid in better thyroid gland functioning. Coconut oil, especially when consumed unheated, aids in weight loss, boosts metabolism, and regulates body temperature.

Coconut oil contains more healthy saturated fat than other oils. Coconut oil may benefit thyroid glands with regular exercise and a well-balanced diet.

Eat dairy Products

Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk have iodine content in abundance. These minerals are necessary for normal thyroid functions. Dairy products can also aid in boosting vitamin levels, which will help with thyroid issues.

Ginger

This is among the simplest thyroid home remedies as it is widely accessible and is a staple to the Indian pantry. Ginger is high in essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium, and it aids in the fight against inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of thyroid problems. In addition, you can incorporate it into your diet, such as Ginger tea or spice, while cooking.

It is also useful as an essential oil. For example, ginger can be used with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) on the body. Essential oil diffusers can also be used to diffuse ginger oil.

Start a diet that is free of sugar

When you consume sugar or sugar-containing processed foods, these products act like a slow poison in your body. As a result, these foods can reduce metabolic rates and energy levels in the long run.

Moreover, sugar causes inflammatory problems in your body that reduce the pace at which T4 (triiodothyronine) hormones are converted into T3. This generates further thyroid disease symptoms in your body. So, reducing your sugar intake and increasing your energy levels is best.

Increasing Consumption of Protein- and Fiber-Rich Foods

Proteins are crucial dietary supplements that help thyroid hormones get to all of the tissues in the human body more easily. As a result, taking these supplements with meals aids in restoring normal thyroid function. You can add a variety of protein sources to your meal, including fish, chicken, quinoa, lentils, and pulses.

Also, you must consume whole grains of flaxseed and wheat enriched with fibre. This fibre diet will help to smooth the working of endocrine glands and, eventually, aid in releasing necessary insulin in the blood.

Almonds

Most kinds of nuts have some type of health benefit for the body. Almonds are ideal for good thyroid function. They are an excellent source of nutrients, fibre, and protein.

Selenium, which is found in almonds, improves the defense mechanism of the thyroids. It gets rid of oxygen-free radicals. Almonds are also high in magnesium, which helps the thyroid gland function properly.

In addition to medication, you can also try thyroid home remedies This approach allows you to sidestep the side effects that may come with thyroid medication. 

Eat Foods Rich in Selenium

As per research, selenium impacts thyroid hormone metabolism to a great degree. Therefore, adding foods that are rich in selenium to your diet is a wonderful natural thyroid home remedy. This is especially important if you suffer from Hashimoto’s disease, wherein your immune system attacks the thyroid gland, and impacts your body’s selenium levels. Eating eggs is the simplest way to add selenium to your diet, but you can also incorporate chicken, shellfish, brown rice, mushrooms, oatmeal, cashews and spinach. 

Incorporate Probiotics into your Diet

Studies indicate that probiotics play a key role in improving thyroid function, especially if you suffer from hypothyroidism. Your gut contains large amounts of thyroid hormone, and good gut bacteria help convert the T3 thyroid hormone into T4. How is this beneficial? It is because a lack of T4 hormone is associated with hypothyroidism. Therefore, adding probiotics to your diet is an excellent natural home remedy for hypothyroidism. You can add probiotics to your diet by eating yogurt or kefir (a fermented milk drink), or by consuming bottled probiotic drinks. However, beware of the sugar that packaged drinks add to your diet. 

Consume Ashwagandha

Also known as Indian ginseng, ashwagandha is a natural thyroid home remedy worth considering as it is an adaptogen that helps your body manage stress. A study showed that consuming ashwagandha root benefitted patients suffering from hypothyroidism, when they consumed it in doses of 600mg/day for 8 weeks. Other research indicates that ashwagandha reduces cortisol, and in turn boosts thyroid hormone levels in your body. While hyperthyroidism patients should most certainly stay away from ashwagandha, as a hypothyroidism patient you can consider taking this off-the-counter supplement. But, it’s best to do so only after you consult with a doctor who will recommend the right dosage for you. 

Meditation and Exercise

Stress alone doesn’t cause the onset of thyroid, but it certainly is one of the triggers that can worsen it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try to manage stress yourself. You can consider meditating or diffusing essential oils to relax. Additionally, incorporate exercise into your routine, more specifically, low-impact exercises. This is because thyroid can cause swelling in your joints and muscles, and low-impact exercises won’t aggravate your pain.

Experts are of the opinion that regular exercise can not only help you counter weight gain, a common thyroid by-product, but also keep other symptoms such as sluggishness and body pain at bay. In fact, exercise will also help you address stress, so consider walking or practicing yoga for 20 minutes, a few times a week. 

Home Remedies for Hypothyroidism

Also, when trying thyroid home remedies, pace yourself. Start slow and add a remedy to your routine every few weeks. This will not only help you understand if a particular home remedy for hypothyroidism is showing results or not, but it will also ensure that you’re not overwhelmed. This is key because if you take on too much at once, you may find it difficult to sustain your efforts in the long run. 

A study in 2014 found that inland cities in India have more hypothyroidism cases than coastal cities. Therefore, if you reside in any city that isn’t along the coast, or have an immediate family member who suffers from thyroid problems, consult with a doctor regularly. This will help catch the disorder on time, and ensure that your condition isn’t worsening. 

Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Typically, a doctor will order blood tests to determine the nature of your thyroid problem. Through the blood work, he/she will be able to determine whether or not your thyroid gland is functioning optimally, and the level of thyroid hormone in your body. Once the doctor determines whether you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, he/she will prescribe medication that stops your thyroid gland from over-producing hormones or medication that acts as a thyroid hormone top-up. Only in rare circumstances, such as when a patient is pregnant and can’t take oral medication, but poses the risk of serious complications, surgery may be advised. 

While thyroid home remedies can certainly help you manage your thyroid and alleviate associated symptoms that cause discomfort, don’t rely on thyroid home remedies to cure thyroid. Home remedies are best implemented in conjunction with advice and treatment from a qualified doctor. 

Find the best doctor for the job on Bajaj Finserv Health. Locate an endocrinologist near you in minutes, view doctors’ years of experience, consulting hours, fees and more before booking an e-consult or in-person appointment. Apart from facilitating appointment booking, the Bajaj Finserv Health also offers health plans for your family, medicine reminders, healthcare information and discounts from select hospitals and clinics.

FAQ

Can natural remedies cure Thyroid?

Thyroid problems can be a genetic factor for many people. Yet, there is always a "trigger" that initiates the start of autoimmune thyroid problems. If this is the case, you can cure your Thyroid naturally.

What are the best foods to heal the Thyroid?

Seaweeds like wakame, nori, kelp, milk, yoghurt, ice cream, and other dairy products, baked fish, fresh eggs, and salted nuts are good food choices to heal Thyroid.

How can I get my Thyroid levels back to normal naturally?

The following steps might help to bring your thyroid levels back to normal:

• Maintain a diet low on sugar and processed foods
• Minimize your consumption of cruciferous vegetables
• Look for strategies to lessen your stress
• Exercise regularly
• Keep your body at a healthy weight

Which fruit is good for the Thyroid?

Pectin, found in plums, apples, pears, and citrus fruits, help the body detoxify mercury, among the major metals connected to thyroid problems.

How do you stop Thyroid problems?

Treatment options for elevated thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) include:

• Radioactive iodine treatment damages thyroid cells, stopping them from producing high thyroid hormone levels
• Surgical removal of the Thyroid is a more long-lasting method of treatment that your doctor may recommend (thyroidectomy). This will prevent it from producing hormones. But you will have to consume Thyroid replacement hormones throughout your life

The primary treatment method for low thyroid hormone levels or hypothyroidism is as follows:

Thyroid replacement medication is an artificial method of reintroducing thyroid hormones into your body. Levothyroxine is a regularly used medication. You can manage thyroid illness and enjoy a normal life by taking medication.