Supplements for Thyroid Patients
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In addition to our other treatments, we have several herbal supplements available that can help optimize thyroid function and buffer many of the symptoms related to hormone imbalance. Some people have found supplementation to be useful in treating the symptoms of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease affects many systems in the body, so a treatment that includes complementary therapies may have benefits. We recommend against treating thyroid disease with complementary therapies alone. These natural products may be suggested by your doctor to complement your thyroid treatments:
- Adreset® (Ginseng, Rhodiola, Cordyceps) is a combination of herbal extracts designed to buffer the stress response by increasing energy, improving mental clarity, and promoting healthy signaling between the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands.
- Exhilarin® (Gotu Kola, Ashwagandha, and Ginger Blend) is another herbal blend formulated to reduce stress while keeping energy levels intact. By keeping the nervous response balanced, the body is less likely to overreact during stress and deplete its energetic resources.
- Licorice Plus® (Rehmannia Root, Licorice Root, Chinese Yam) takes advantage of the natural properties of licorice and other natural herbs known to balance the endocrine system.
- Silymarin 80™ (Milk Thistle Seed Extract) helps reduce elevated cholesterol, cleanse the liver of toxins, and reduce the incident of cardiovascular disease and cancer through its potent antioxidant properties.
- Thyrosol® (Rosemary, Selenium, Bladderwrack, and Vitamin Blend) is a supplement specifically designed for healthy thyroid support. This blend of herbs and vitamins supports synthesis of T4, as well as its conversion to T3. The binding of T3 to its DNA targets may also be improved.
Thyroid Disease Definitions
Hormones - a chemical secretion of the ductless endocrine glands and specialized nerve cells concerned with control of body functions. Hormones act as chemical messengers and are transported to all parts of the body by the bloodstream where they affect target organs. The major glands are the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, adrenal, pancreas, ovary, and testis. There are also hormone-secreting cells in the kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, thymus (in the neck), pineal (in the brain), and placenta.
Pituitary Gland - The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master" gland of the endocrine system, because it controls the functions of the other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea, and is located at the base of the brain. The gland is attached to the hypothalumus (a part of the brain that affects the pituitary gland) by nerve fibers.
Hypothalamus - The main function of the hypothalamus is homeostasis, or maintaining the body's status quo. Factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, and body weight are held to a precise value called the set-point. Although this set-point can migrate over time, from day to day it is remarkably fixed. The hypothalamus also generates behaviors involved in eating, drinking, general arousal, rage, aggression, embarrassment, escape from danger, pleasure and copulation. It does an amazing number of housekeeping chores for such a small piece of tissue.
Thyroidectomy - Thyroidectomy is an operation in which one or both lobes of the thyroid gland are removed. The most common indications for thyroidectomy include a large mass in the thyroid gland, difficulties with breathing related to a thyroid mass, difficulties with swallowing, goiter, suspected or proven cancer of the thyroid gland and hyperthyroidism (overproduction of the thyroid hormone, Graves' disease). The need for thyroidectomy is based on your history, the results of a physical examination and tests. The most common tests to determine whether a thyroidectomy is necessary include a fine needle aspiration biopsy, thyroid scan, ultrasound, x-rays and/or CT scan, and assessment of thyroid hormone levels. The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia. The extent of surgery (removal of one or both lobes) may sometimes be determined in the course of surgery after microscopic examination of tissue removed during the surgery.
Graves disease - Graves' disease is a type of autoimmune disease that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism. This over-activity is also sometimes called "toxic diffuse goiter." The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy. When the thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. High levels of thyroid hormones can cause side effects such as weight loss, rapid heart rate and nervousness. This is an uncommon disease that affects 2 percent of all women at some time in their lives. Graves' Disease also tends to affect women between the ages of 20 and 40, although it occurs in infants, children, and the elderly.
Neutraceuticals - Neutraceuticals are over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Nutraceuticals are defined as any health-enhancing product derived from nature, including some vegetables. It is a natural health product packaged in dosage form.
Follicular Cancer - Follicular cancer generally comprises about 25% of all diagnosed thyroid cancers and is usually a more aggressive form of cancer than the more common papillary type. Similar to papillary cancer, follicular thyroid cancer is most often discovered as a painless lump in the thyroid, usually occurs after the age of 40, and occurs more often in women than in men.
Papillary Cancer - Papillary cancer is the most common, and most treatable, type of thyroid cancer. Most people with papillary thyroid cancer can be completely cured with surgery. There are more than 10,000 new cases of papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed in the United States every year. In fact, papillary cancer comprises at least 70% of all diagnosed thyroid cancers. Most people develop papillary thyroid cancer before age 40, and it is much more common in women than in men. The majority of people with papillary thyroid cancers do not even know they have the disease until a doctor notices a painless thyroid lump.
Medullary Cancer - Medullary thyroid cancer is completely different than the more common papillary and follicular types. Medullary thyroid cancer is usually not classified in terms of differentiation because it does not arise from the thyroid cells themselves, but rather from the specialized "C-cells" that are in between the thyroid cells. These C-cells are also sometimes referred to as parafollicular cells. They are found mostly in the upper and middle parts of the thyroid and they produce a substance called calcitonin, which can serve as a marker for medullary thyroid cancer.
Anaplastic Cancer - Anaplastic thyroid cancer, also called undifferentiated thyroid cancer, is relatively rare. Unlike other types of thyroid cancer, the symptoms of anaplastic thyroid cancer are usually noticeable right away. Most patients initially complain of difficulty breathing, either shortness of breath or noisy breathing, as well as changes in their voice, usually hoarseness. These changes are the result of the rapidly growing cancer pressing on the windpipe and invading the nerves that control the voice. Additionally, most patients notice a large and rapidly growing mass in the front of their neck.
Next Steps:
While you may find this medical information useful, as the next step we strongly recommend that you make an appointment to see one of our physicians to ensure that your health issues are properly addressed.
To schedule an appointment with our physicians, please call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667, send the form below or an email to: info@patientsmedical.com. We are currently accepting new patients and look forward to being of assistance.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009