Different Graves Disease Treatment Options
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. It is a type of hyperthyroidism. The overactive thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone that elevates the metabolism rate of the body to abnormally high levels.
This autoimmune disorder is more likely to occur in women after the age of 20. Alleviating the symptoms of hyperthyroidism by inhibiting excess thyroid hormone secretion is the main purpose of Graves’ disease treatment.
Conventional Treatment
Conventional Graves’ disease treatment involves destruction of the thyroid gland cells with radioactive iodine. The exact dose of the radioactive iodine is determined by the size of the thyroid gland and its hyperactivity level.
Graves’ disease could also be healed with anti-thyroid drugs that help to suppress excess secretion of the thyroid hormones.
Rapid heartbeat and muscle tremors, the common symptoms of Graves’ disease, could be healed with beta-blockers. Eye dryness, a common complaint of Graves’ disease patients, could be reduced by moistening the eyes with artificial tears.
Herbal Remedies For Graves’ Disease
Conventional Graves’ disease treatments could be supplemented with herbal remedies.
Indian Gooseberry
Emblica officinalis fruit, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, helps to ameliorate the symptoms of Graves’ disease. This natural anti-thyroid fruit reduces abnormal secretion of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. In addition, the phytonutrients present in Emblica officinalis fruit helps to elevate the antioxidant levels in people suffering from Graves’ disease.
Custard Apple Seeds
The seeds of custard apple exhibit anti-thyroidic properties. Regular intake of custard apple seeds help to reduce the serum concentration of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
Black Pepper
Piperine, the active principle of Piper nigrum or black pepper fruit, could alleviate the symptoms of Graves’ disease by lowering the levels of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. It could also protect people with overactive thyroid gland from the scavenging activities of free radicals.
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf
Ocimum sanctum or tulsi leaf possesses anti-thyroidic properties. It could reduce the serum concentration of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 in Graves’ disease patients. The antioxidative effect of the herb stimulates the activities of the antioxidant enzymes.
Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seed inhibits conversion of the T4 hormone into T3, the active form of the thyroid hormone. Regular intake of Fenugreek seed extract might benefit Graves’ disease patients.
Diet For Graves’ Disease
By modifying your diet, you can reduce the abnormal activities of the thyroid gland. People on thyroid medication should avoid excess consumption of iron rich foods. Iron might interfere with the activities of the thyroid drugs.
In some cases, soy might reduce absorption of thyroid medications. Add antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. This would help to strengthen the antioxidant defense system of the body, which might be weakened by the abnormal activities of the thyroid gland.
Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided by people diagnosed with Graves’ disease. A balanced diet would help to meet most of the nutritional demands of people suffering from Graves’ disease. The overactive thyroid gland might cause deficiency of zinc and calcium.
Graves’ disease patients should consume enough zinc and calcium rich foods to restore the normal reserve of these two essential minerals. You can even take zinc and calcium supplements.
