Two thyroid acupuncture research studies conclude that acupuncture reduces adverse thyroid symptoms and should be used in the treatment of various thyroid conditions.
Acupuncture Study One
The first of these thyroid acupuncture research studies examined patients who presented with subclinical hypothyroid disease. This means that their TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels were above normal while their Free T3 and Free T4 levels were still in the normal range.
This is common, as hypothyroidism develops slowly over many years. People start developing symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, constipation, and digestive issues long before their blood work indicates dysfunction.
The researchers stated that four to ten percent of the general population has subclinical hypothyroidism, increasing to twenty percent in women over 60 years old. The current treatment recommendation for subclinical hypothyroidism with slightly elevated TSH levels is to monitor levels every 6 to 12 months. This does not address the adverse symptoms affecting the patients.
Studies have shown that levothyroxine (synthroid) is not effective for this TSH group. Our patients at Raleigh Acupuncture can attest to this fact. Many have been put on synthroid, but it did not help reduce their symptoms.
Stress Plays A Role In Hypothyroidism
Based on Hans Selye’s general adaption theory (GAS), it is known that acute and chronic stress affects thyroid function through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes.
Acupuncture has been clinically proven to reduce the body’s stress response and therefore should improve thyroid function. This research was conducted to determine if acupuncture was a good treatment option for subclinical hypothyroidism.
Thyroid Acupuncture Research Studies – The Details
Two patient cases were assessed. The female patients, aged 34 and 44 years, received twelve acupuncture treatments once a week. Serum TSH, FT4, FT3, salivary cortisol, and stress scales were measured before, during and after the treatments were conducted. The number of hypothyroid symptoms present (Zulewski index) were assessed before each treatment.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism Study Results
Both patients saw their TSH levels drop and displayed less hypothyroid symptoms. In addition, they both had increases in total cortisol load and morning cortisol levels. Both patients reported improvements in bowel function and menstruation.
Study Conclusions
Researchers concluded that the improved condition of the patients indicated that acupuncture was a viable and beneficial treatment option for subclinical hypothyroidism. They recommended that larger scale studies be developed to validate these findings.
Our own experience confirms these results. Patients struggling with hypothyroid symptoms get relief from acupuncture.
Thyroidism Study Two
Thyroid dysfunction affects people of all ages. It not only damages human growth and energy metabolism but also can lead to other illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease and gastrointestinal disorders.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are increasingly being accepted as an alternative and complementary therapy for thyroid disease. This study analyzed 29 clinical projects that were retrieved from digital databases. They included 1757 patients aged 7-79 years from China, Italy, Korea, Macedonia and Russia.
This narrative review offered an overview of the benefits of acupuncture, and evaluated its safety and cost-effectiveness in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and thyroid related illnesses.
Findings indicated clear reductions in patient symptoms and improvement in biomarkers where acupuncture was used alone or in combination with other therapies.
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Thyroid Acupuncture Research Studies Resources
J Integr Med. 2018 Nov;16(6):375-383. doi: 10.1016/j.joim.2018.09.002. Epub 2018 Oct 6. An overview of the contribution of acupuncture to thyroid disorders. Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: oasischeng@yahoo.com. Copyright © 2018 Shanghai Changhai Hospital. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Glob Adv Health Med. 2013 Nov; 2(Suppl): S135. Published online 2013 Nov 1. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2013.097CP.P03.01 PMCID: PMC3875017 P03.01. Acupuncture’s Effectiveness at Treating Subclinical Hypothyroid Disease via the HPA/HPT Axis: A Multiple Case Series Raina Tsuda
KEYWORDS
Acupuncture; Alternative and complementary medicine; Endocrine system; Integrative medicine; Thyroidism; Traditional Chinese medicine; Subclinical hypothyroidism
What our Clients are Saying
Last year I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My symptoms were severe foggy brain, poor concentration and unexplained weight gain. I was put on hormones, which helped a bit, but still could not shake these problems. Research led me to Raleigh Acupuncture. Jade was amazing. Her treatments totally made my brain work again. And the weight is coming off. Jade is kind and patient. She understands what I’m going through. I highly recommend Jade and Raleigh Acupuncture.
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.
