Management of overt hypothyroidism with homoeopathic medicine Iodium - An evidence-based case report

Abstract

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a hypo-metabolic state resulting from inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones. It is the second most common endocrine disorder among women and a leading cause of menstrual abnormalities in all age groups, thereby affecting reproductive functions in females. Levothyroxine is the standard lifelong mode of treatment in conventional medicine. Case Summary: A 35-year-old hypothyroid female presented with menstrual irregularities. However, the physical general symptoms in this patient were contrary to the expected clinical presentation of the disease. Individualised homoeopathic medicine was selected for this patient, based on these peculiar symptoms and complete recovery was seen with the restoration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within normal range within 7 months. TSH levels were investigated and recorded before and after treatment. The Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy was used to assess the causal attribution of clinical outcome after the homoeopathic intervention. The patient was observed for further 3 months and showed no recurrence of complaints. Complete resolution in this case of hypothyroidism is yet another affirmation that homoeopathic intervention can be used in the treatment of endocrine disorders in which usually lifelong treatment is the only option.