Comparing Conventional and Holistic Healing Suggestions for Graves' Disease

by Elaine Moore
October 6, 2000

Graves' disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroid disorder occasionally affecting the skin and eyes. In Graves' disease, the immune system is both hyperactive (in its eagerness to produce auto-antibodies), and it is incompetent or deficient in CD8 suppressor T lymphocytes. These cells which would ordinarily stop auto-antibodies from forming. For this reason we don't want to stimulate or suppress the immune system. We do want to strengthen or modulate it.

The conventional approach to treating Graves' disease is to limit the amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the blood. This is accomplished by 1)antithyroid drugs which inhibit thyroid hormone production; these drugs, which also slow down the immune system, are used until the patient goes into spontaneous remission 2)radioiodine ablation in which thyroid cells are destroyed, thereby limiting the amount of thyroid tissue available for producing thyroid hormone; patients nearly always eventually become hypothyroid and 3) surgery, usually a partial thyroidectomy in which the majority of the thyroid gland is removed.

Alternative medicine has the same goal. Holistic methods also aim to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced by the gland. However, alternative methods also target the immune system which is the underlying source of the problem. Many Graves' disease patients have gone into remission using alternative means alone, while others have used a combination of antithyroid drugs and alternative medicine. Still others have used antithyroid drugs until their thyroid levels fell into the normal range, and weaned themselves off these drugs while using alternative medicine.

Most Graves' patients I've interviewed have a good idea of what precipitated their disorder. In most instances, stress was mentioned and many patients are diagnosed with GD after the death of a close relative. The second cause has been dietary supplements with numerous patients admitting to taking diet pills or natural products including multi-vitamins with high iodine content. When the cause is clearly known, the first step in the road to wellness is dealing with it, either by eliminating the offending item or by stress reduction methods.

Stress reduction and dietary changes are the first steps in any healing plan. Stress reduction methods include biofeedback, meditation, tai chi, yoga and prayer therapy. Stress directly reduces the number of immune system cells which would curb auto-ntibody production, and stress is a well known trigger of autoimmune disease.

Dietary changes involve an emphasis on goitrogens, foods which naturally block thyroid hormone synthesis and the avoidance of certain foods, particularly those high in iodine content.

Goitrogens include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi, sweet potatoes, almonds, peaches and peanuts. Soy is also known to interfere with iodine absorption in the gut, reducing thyroid hormone synthesis. Foods to avoid include wheat, dairy products, sugar, saturated fats, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners. An ideal diet would have adequate, but not excess protein, fresh fruit, brown rice, millet and lightly steamed vegetables. It's also important to avoid any food allergens as allergic reactions heighten the autoimmune response.

Herbs, under the guidance of a herbalist or naturopath, are also known (and approved by the German Commission E) to reduce thyroid hormone synthesis. They are usually prescribed as tonics including one or more of the following ingredients: Lycopus virginicus (bugleweed), Melissa (lemon balm), Leonurus cardica (motherwort) and Lithospermum.

A number of homeopathic preparations have been successfully used in Graves' disease. Again, they must be used under the guidance of a naturopath. Homeopathic preparations used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism include kelpsan, coffea, pulsatilla, thyroidinum, and natrum muriaticum.

One of the earliest substances used in the treatment of Graves' disease is strong solution of iodine (Lugol's solution, saturated solution of potassium iodide or SSKI). For years it was the only method available. Although iodine exacerbates symptoms of hyperthyroidism, at extremely high doses it inhibits thyroid hormone production and thyroid hormone's release from the thyroid gland. However, the major effects tend to wane after several weeks and a careful dosage plan must be used. Many naturopaths still use strong iodine and many patients have used and are still using strong iodine successfully, some on an as needed basis.

Ayurvedic medicine, craniosacral therapy and acupuncture have also been used successfully.

It's important to note that GD is not like progressively worsening conditions (such as cancer). Graves' disease runs its own course which has its own end. Without treatment 1/3 of patients would go into eventual remission. These are, of course, patients with mild symptoms.

The use of aggressive treatment prohibits patients from ever knowing how their disease course might have ended. In many instances symptoms of GD naturally resolve as quickly as they begin.

The goals in using antithyroid drugs and alternative medicine are to reduce symptoms UNTIL the patient goes into eventual remission naturally. The end result is a return to normal thyroid function. The end result with aggressive treatment is hypothyroidism.