This 2016 hypothyroidism case report describes acupuncture’s effective results in raising thyroid hormone levels and reducing TPO antibodies. In addition, the report discusses effective treatment strategies and acupuncture points for reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease (a form of hypothyroidism).
The primary purpose of this hypothyroidism case report is to identify the most effective acupoints for treatment. The patient was a 24-year-old female diagnosed with Hashimoto hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disease causing a drop in thyroid hormone production. Practitioners provided weekly acupuncture treatments until TSH, TOP, and T4 levels normalized. The last lab results showed: TSH=13.8, T4=2.8, TPO=<60.
Hypothyroidism Background
Hypothyroidism occurs when the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. People with this condition typically have symptoms of slow metabolism, tiredness, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and feeling cold. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives both hyper and hypothyroidism as Yin/Yang imbalances which are treatable with acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutrition counseling to rebalance Yin and Yang.
Hypothyroidism results from low thyroid production, affecting women 15 times more frequently than men, typically within the ages of 30 to 50. Approximately 4.6 percent of the world’s population has this condition.
Western medicine distinguishes two types of hypothyroidism – primary and secondary, of which the primary is the most common. Primary hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease induced by chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The condition is also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Secondary hypothyroidism occurs when the hypothalamus fails to regulate the thyroid gland.
Low levels of TSH exist in secondary hypothyroidism. Alternatively, we see high TSH levels in primary hypothyroidism due to the lack of feedback inhibition from the pituitary gland. Typical symptoms include depression, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, irritability, hair loss, dry hair, fatigue, weakness, cold intolerance, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, and muscle cramps.
Western Versus Chinese Medicine Hypothyroidism Treatment
Standard Western treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves lifelong hormone replacement therapy. In the TCM treatment of hypothyroidism, acupuncture regulates energy levels, restores hormonal balance, improves emotions, and helps manage sleep. There are three main TCM patterns for hypothyroidism: Spleen and Kidney qi deficiency, Heart and Kidney yang deficiency, and Kidney jing deficiency.
Chinese Medicine Pattern 1
Spleen and Kidney qi deficiency occur in the early stages of hypothyroidism. Blood tests reveal elevated TSH but normal levels of T4 and T3. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, poor appetite, constipation, weight gain, weak bladder, and irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, the tongue is pale and scalloped, and the pulse is weak. The treatment principle involves strengthening and supplementing Spleen and Kidney qi and transforming phlegm.
Chinese Medicine Pattern 2
Heart and Kidney yang deficiency is the most common presentation of well-developed and clinical hypothyroidism. Cardiovascular complications include cold intolerance, swollen face and eyes, depression, weight gain, dry skin and hair, inability to sweat, poor appetite, frequent urination, constipation, hoarse voice, and low body temperature. In addition, the tongue is pale, swollen, and scalloped, and the pulse is weak and slow. The treatment principle includes warming the Kidney, Spleen, and Heart yang.
Chinese Medicine Pattern 3
Kidney jing deficiency appears in the late stages of hypothyroidism. We commonly see this pattern in older patients. Symptoms include dizziness, headaches, poor memory, insomnia, tinnitus, hair loss, general weakness, and urinary frequency. In addition, the tongue is pale and dry with no coat, and the pulse is weak. Treatment seeks to nourish the Kidney jing.
How Acupuncture Works
Some researchers believe that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, causing the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostasis, promoting physical and emotional health.
Acupuncturists always seek the root cause (called a pattern imbalance) when treating disease. As mentioned above, hypothyroidism broadly involves Kidney Yin and Yang deficiency. Treatments strengthen the Liver and Kidney Yin, clear excess heat, and boost the Kidney yang.
Hypothyroidism Case Report
The patient in this hypothyroidism case report was a 24-year-old woman diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Western medicine considers Hashimoto’s disease to be autoimmune thyroiditis, while Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosed her pattern diagnosis as Spleen and Kidney qi deficiency.
Treatment began in October 2012 at the Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture clinic in Skopje, Macedonia. Weekly treatments lasted approximately 40 minutes and included the following acupoints: DU20 (BaiHui), GB20 (FengChi), DU14 (DaZhui), ST9 (RenYing), LI4 (HeGu), BL15 (XinShu), BL20 (PiShu), BL23 (ShenShu), DU4 (MingMen), RN6 (QiHai), RN4 (QuanYuan), SP9 (YinLingQuan), ST36 (ZuSanLi), SP6 (SanYinJiao), KI3 (TaiXi), and LR2 (Tai Chong).
Acupuncture Point Descriptions
Here is a description of each acupoint’s function utilized in this hypothyroidism case report.
Primary Hypothyroidism Points
DU20 (BaiHui), located at the top of the head, is known as the point of one hundred meetings since it treats more than a hundred diseases. All Yang meridians in the body pass through this point, and acupuncturists frequently use it when treating Yang imbalance, excess Yang energy in the body, or low energy. In addition, DU20 is often used for insomnia, headaches, fatigue, calming the mind, and improving sleep.
GB20 (FengChi), located on the back of the neck at the base of the skull, eliminates internal wind and reduces pain. In addition, it treats insomnia, cold symptoms, nasal blockage, issues involving the head and sense organs, and balances the nervous system.
DU14 (DaZhui), located on the spine below the 7th cervical vertebra, expels internal wind, clears heat, and benefits Qi and Yang deficiency conditions. In addition, it eases neck tightness and reduces chronic cough.
ST9 (RenYing), located on the side of the neck lateral to the Adam’s apple, regulates Qi and Blood to benefit the throat and neck for conditions such as sore throat, goiter, scrofula, and thyroid problems.
LI4 (HeGu), found between the thumb and pointer finger, strengthens Qi, boosts immunity, benefits the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, eases constipation, and reduces stress and headaches.
BL15 (XinShu), located on the back level with the fifth thoracic vertebrae, nourishes the heart, calms anxiety, and improves blood circulation. In addition, this point treats insomnia, deficient Heart Qi, and irregular pulse.
BL20 (PiShu), found on the back, level with the eleventh thoracic vertebra, strengthens digestion and resolves internal phlegm accumulation. This point effectively treats slow metabolism, poor appetite, difficulty losing weight, fatigue, excessive worry, and nausea.
BL23 (ShenShu), located on the back, level with the second lumbar vertebra, benefits the kidneys. This acupoint treats dizziness, tinnitus, tiredness, sexual dysfunction, and infertility.
Additional Hypothyroidism Acupoints
DU4 (MingMen), located below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra, strengthens Kidney Yang and improves conditions such as tinnitus, dizziness, fatigue, and low back pain.
RN6 (QiHai), found on the lower abdomen 1.5 inches below the belly button, regulates and strengthens Qi energy, harmonizes the blood, and strengthens the kidneys. This point treats abdominal pain, insomnia, low energy, and frequent urination.
RN4 (QuanYuan), located 3 inches below the belly button, helps strengthen Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood for conditions such as weakness, chills, chronic illness, and infertility.
SP9 (YinLingQuan), located inside the lower leg just below the knee, regulates the Spleen, resolves dampness, and helps conditions such as poor appetite, diarrhea, bloating, swelling, and dry mouth.
ST36 (ZuSanLi), located three inches below the outside of the lower leg below the knee, benefits the Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood, increases Yang and expels Wind, Cold, and Dampness. This powerful acupoint treats conditions such as fever, dizziness, chronic illness, depression, insomnia, and a weak immune system.
SP6 (SanYinJiao), found on the inside of the leg approximately three inches above the ankle, boosts Yin and Blood and benefits all Spleen disorders, including insomnia, dizziness, digestive disorders, menstrual issues, blurred vision, and tinnitus.
KI3 (TaiXi), located behind the medial malleolus (inside bump on ankle), strengthens Kidney Yin and Yang, calms the mind, regulates menstruation, and reduces tinnitus, dizziness, weakness, insomnia, cough, dry throat, and poor memory.
LR2 (Tai Chong), found on the web between the first and second big toes, clears Liver Fire, circulates Liver Qi, clears heat, and improves headaches, dizziness, pain in the chest, swollen eyes, and throat dryness.
Case Results and Discussion
The patient in this hypothyroidism case report received weekly treatment from March 2012 to November 2015, when her TSH and T4 levels normalized. At this point, she could stop taking thyroid medicine (Eutirox). During her course of treatment, the patient regularly checked her thyroid levels. By the end of treatment, her TSH and T4 levels were normal, and most dramatically, her TPO antibody levels dropped from 1000 to below 60. This result indicated that acupuncture slowed the progression of her autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease.
Acupuncture regulates the autonomic nervous system, promotes hormone and neuropeptide release to help control metabolism, boosts the immune system, and regulates emotions. In Chinese Medicine, a symptom or disease is a sign of imbalance affecting the whole body. It indicates that other aspects of the patient’s life need evaluation, not just the apparent organ or system involved.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases require long-term treatment strategies. Practitioners must direct these conditions outwards, away from the Yin interior, and towards the Yang exterior to prevent them from lodging into the blood, fluids, or Yin organs. According to TCM, diseases have ‘exit routes’ through the Yang channels, and most treatment strategies seek to take advantage of these exit routes, as illnesses cannot directly exit from the Yin organs, blood, or fluids. Practitioners incorporated this treatment approach in the hypothyroidism case report.
Raleigh Acupuncture Success Treating Hypothyroidism
We have been successfully treating hypothyroidism and autoimmune Hashimotos for years. The key is making an accurate Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis and designing a treatment plan to address each patient’s particular needs. Then, by bringing the body into balance, the patient can maximize their healing potential, relieve symptoms, and improve their quality of life.
Next Steps
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Additional Resources on Hypothyroidism
Second Hypothyroid Acupuncture Research Study.
Hashimoto’s Acupuncture Case Study.
Reference
Blagica Arsovska, Jihe Zhu & Kristina Kozovska, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics – Skopje, Macedonia; Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delcev – Stip, Macedonia; Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, Vol. 2, Issue 5, 2016, ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
Focus Keyphrase: Hypothyroidism Case Report
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I went to Raleigh Acupuncture for low thyroid. I was tired all the time and depressed. The treatments helped alot. I go monthly now and feel normal again. I recommend Raleigh Acupuncture for treating low thyroid.