Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

[Guest guest]

, " scorpio6302002 "

<scorpio6302002> wrote:

> I have a patient, 16 year old female, who has been diagnosed with

> Hashimotos. She is currently taking thyroid replacement hormone

> (Synthroid). She presents with fatigue, weight gain, lack of

> appetite, mild depression. My question is, it OK to tonify the

> Spleen in case of an autoimmune disease? In other words, if herbs

> have an immune stimulating effect, will that cause the body to

> attack the thyroid more? Does anyone have experience treating this

> problem? Thanks.

 

Dear " Scorpio "

 

Please sign your posts so w know who we are speaking with. It is OK to

supplement

the spleen if the patient has spleen qi xu, which most of these patients do.

However,

one must construct a careful formula that takes into consideration all

presenting

factors. Supplementing may have side effects if overdone, esp. if heat or damp

or qi

stag is present. Your concern should not be for the immune system, but the

patterns

and herb properties. However Subhuti Dharmananda has written that it is likely

that

autoimmunity is an immune deficiency and that much research has shown the

usefulness of herbs like huang qi in treating not only all autoimmune

conditions, but

all hypothyroid in general. Search his website at http://www.itmonline.org

 

[Guest guest]

On Jan 10, 2004, at 10:24 AM, scorpio6302002 wrote:

 

> In other words, if herbs

> have an immune stimulating effect, will that cause the body to

> attack the thyroid more?

 

This issue came up this morning with a lupus patient that I have.

Lupus, being another autoimmune problem that presents generally as heat

in one flavor or another.

 

This patient is starting to take some supplement that is said to boost

the immune system. My question at the time was wondering if we really

want to boost the immunity when that is obviously in a state of excess

in the first place.

 

The only answer that I could come up with was simply falling back on

the TCM of it all. If the immune boosting herbs or product are warm or

hot in nature, then we probably have an issue. If not, I think that

they're okay.

 

Besides, as I understand it, auto-immune problems aren't about the

strength or weakness of the immune system, but the differentiation of

self versus non-self. I don't know how we would translate that whole

issue into TCM terms, but it certainly doesn't seem to be about Wei Qi.

 

-al.

 

--

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

-Adlai Stevenson

[Guest guest]

, Al Stone wrote:

> Besides, as I understand it, auto-immune problems aren't about the

> strength or weakness of the immune system, but the differentiation

of self versus non-self. I don't know how we would translate that

whole issue into TCM terms, but it certainly doesn't seem to be

about Wei Qi. >>>

 

 

Al:

 

You bring up an interesting point about self and nonself, but the

condition still involves the wei qi. Even though there may be

general depletion (xu), we typically see a perverse heat in the

pulse movement of the lung (metal) attacking the respective tissue

of autoimmune disorders.

 

The issue can't be translated into academic TCM terms but it can be

efficiently translated into 5-Phase terms, because immune function

and 5-Phsaes are both dynamical and describe living systems.

 

In these types of complicated conditions, we need to examine 5-

Phases within each Phase---typically metal phase for autoimmune

problems. There is a correlation of the immune system in WM terms to

the combined organization and functioning of the spleen and lung (or

earth and metal).

 

Treatment for autoimmune problems is difficult because you have to

do 2 things at the same time: stop the attack (repletion) on another

body tissue, and support the deficiencies (xu) of the immune system.

 

 

Jim Ramholz

[Guest guest]

This list covers a wealth of alternative answers in healing. Discuss health,

spiritual, and healing issues...Hi Everyone,

 

I am new to the group and have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Basically it is an

auto immune disease where the body attacks the thyroid gland to where it doesn't

work. I have a lot of aches and pains, and not the doc says that I might have

Fibromyalgia too. Anyway, I am wanting to get in to a more natural approch to

dealing with this, and would love any advice that can be given.

 

Thanks,

Julie Fox

 

 

[Guest guest]

Welcome Julie. Hang in there, keep reading and do research on your own,

too. You can feel better - honestly. Don't let yourself be your disease.

The more you focus on being healthier in general, the better it will be.

Eat a good, balanced, healthy diet; find a gentle exercise that suits you;

find ways to de-stress.

 

I think a lot of chronic disease can be overcome. But the Western approach

almost has us giving up before we get started. Your journey can be

different. I started out worried and wondering if I'd ever

be well. But since I found joy in doing the things that help me feel

well and embraced them, I am so much better.

 

Feel free to ask any specifics you need; this is a great group with lots to

offer.

 

Take care,

Cindy

 

Cindy Kirchhoff, life coach

http://livinginrhyme.com

Reclaim your power and your passion ... and your health

 

, <foxmom1971 wrote:

 

> I am new to the group and have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Basically it is an

auto

immune disease where the body attacks the thyroid gland to where it doesn't

work. I have

a lot of aches and pains, and not the doc says that I might have Fibromyalgia

too. Anyway,

I am wanting to get in to a more natural approch to dealing with this, and would

love any

advice that can be given.

[Guest guest]

, <foxmom1971 wrote:

>

> This list covers a wealth of alternative answers in healing.

Discuss health, spiritual, and healing issues...Hi Everyone,

>

> I am new to the group and have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Basically it is an auto immune disease where the body attacks the

thyroid gland to where it doesn't work. I have a lot of aches and

pains, and not the doc says that I might have Fibromyalgia too.

Anyway, I am wanting to get in to a more natural approch to dealing

with this, and would love any advice that can be given.

>

> Thanks,

> Julie Fox

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just found out I have this too and was told by my ND and pharmacist

to stop eating gluten, dairy and sugar. They cause it to be worse. I

also am on a homeopathic remedy for it and feel better already.

 

Sara

 

 

, " rajibnain " <rajibnain

wrote:

>

> , <foxmom1971@> wrote:

> >

> > This list covers a wealth of alternative answers in healing.

> Discuss health, spiritual, and healing issues...Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I am new to the group and have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

> Basically it is an auto immune disease where the body attacks the

> thyroid gland to where it doesn't work. I have a lot of aches and

> pains, and not the doc says that I might have Fibromyalgia too.

> Anyway, I am wanting to get in to a more natural approch to dealing

> with this, and would love any advice that can be given.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Julie Fox

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sara!

 

Would you mind sharing what homeopathic remedy you are taking for this?

 

THANKS!

Peg

 

, " serenity_firefly999 "

<fireflyserentiy wrote:

>

> I just found out I have this too and was told by my ND and pharmacist

> to stop eating gluten, dairy and sugar. They cause it to be worse. I

> also am on a homeopathic remedy for it and feel better already.

>

> Sara