The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is situated at the base of the neck, surrounding the larynx (voice box). It produces thyroid hormones which play a vital role in regulating the body’s metabolic processes.Over- or under-production of thyroid hormone can speed up or slow down all chemical processes in the body, resulting in a variety of symptoms.

It seems that thyroid disorders are becomingly increasingly common in both sexes and in all ages, but especially so among women during puberty, pregnancy and menopause, and may be alleviated by homeopathic treatment.

Thyroid disorders may present a variety of non-specific symptoms. In hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves’ Disease, or goitre, these may include the following: exophthalmos, or protrusion of the eye, and eye irritation; nervousness, restlessness; heat intolerance; weight loss despite increased appetite; excessive sweating, with warm moist hands; brittle nails; itching and hives; diarrhoea; racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain; insomnia; increased thirst; hair loss; amaemia; decreased fertility, and menstrual irregularities; tremors and trembling of the tongue; decreased muscle mass and weakness. Causes may be autoimmune, genetic; trauma; stress or infection.

In hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the following symptoms may occur: energy loss and fatigue; forgetfulness, intellectual impairment, behaviour changes; sensitivity to cold; unexplained weight gain; constipation; decreased sexual energy; painful menstruation; numbness, pricking or tingling; joint stiffness, muscle cramping, loss of coordination; dry, scaly thick skin; brittle hair and hair loss including eyebrow hair; dry tongue, hoarseness and slurred speech; facial puffiness and swelling around the eyes; high cholesterol; heart and gastro-intestinal complications; infertility; deafness; squinting; anaemia; slowed heart rate. Causes may be autoimmune, or iodine deficiency.

Homeopathy considers that symptoms are the body’s way of expressing a deeper, internal imbalance, and the homeopath attaches great importance to all symptoms - mental, emotional and physical. After careful assessment of all these symptoms, the homeopath selects a remedy which best covers them all and which will have a curative effect on the whole person. There is no generic remedy because each remedy is tailored to the person’s unique constellation of symptoms. Remedies are derived from a wide array of sources, including plants, animals, minerals and metals. They are prescribed in minute doses, which maximise their health-enhancing effects and render them safe and non-toxic.

There are many homeopathic remedies which may help, even if you are on thyroid medication or have had surgery. For example, the main remedies effective in hyperthyroidism include: Lachesis, where the thyroid is swollen on the left side, and the throat feels tight and swallowing is difficult; Lycopus, where the heart pounds and races, and there is exophthalmos; Spongia, where the thyroid is swollen and painful with stitching pain, accompanied by violent palpitations; Iodum, where there is painful enlargement of the thyroid, with a feeling of great heat, restlessness and hurrying. In cases of hypothyroidism, the main remedies are: Sepia, where there is right-sided swelling, coldness, thickened skin, constipation, dullness and sluggishness; Graphites, where there is weight gain, coarse hair, cracked, thick or hard skin, enlarged or nodular thyroid; Calcarea carbonica, where there are nodules or the thyroid slowly grows, with constant tiredness, chilly with cold feet in bed, feeling of tremor inside; Alumina, in cases if severe constipation, thick, dry and itchy skin, with mental and physical slowness.

If your thyroid feels enlarged or lumpy, or if you suspect you might have a thyroid problem, or if a close relative has been diagnosed with a thyroid problem, you should always consult your doctor. Thyroid cancer is rare but should always be ruled out, and there are homeopathic remedies which will aid recovery in the event of surgery.