Hypothyroidism is one of the most common conditions in North America. It is estimated that between 1-4% of the US population has moderate to severe hypothyroidism and that about 10% may suffer from mild hypothyroidism. However, these estimates are based on blood tests that are not very sensitive or comprehensive for diagnosing hypothyroidism. It is likely more accurate to say that up to 40% of the population is affected by hypothyroidism when all signs, symptoms, and lab tests are taken into account.

The most common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, depression, poor memory, mental fatigue, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, loss of appetite, intolerance to cold, skin changes, and eyebrow thinning. Hypothyroidism affects women more than men and often affects the menstrual cycle. Common symptoms include shortening or lengthening of cycles, heavy flow, missing periods, infertility, PMS, cramping, and pre-eclampsia.

The conventional approach to treatment relies on the use of thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The most common prescription is the use of T4 thyroid hormone. This increases the level of thyroid hormone but does not address the underlying causes and when supplementation is stopped hormone levels decrease again. For people who have suffered from hypothyroidism for years thyroid hormone replacement may be required as part of treatment but should not be the only treatment provided. For people who have been recently diagnosed or are experiencing the beginning of symptoms the use of thyroid hormone should be deferred until other restorative treatments have been explored.

Naturopathic treatment is based on a thorough assessment of not only the thyroid gland but of the entire endocrine (hormone-producing) system. Appropriate treatment depends on how long a patient has had symptoms, how severe those symptoms are, and the ability of that patient's thyroid gland and entire endocrine system to return to optimal function. The adrenal glands, reproductive glands, pituitary gland, and central nervous system often require treatment in order to improve thyroid function. Nutritional supplementation, botanicals, acupuncture, neural therapy, spinal assessment and manipulation, and nutritional counselling must address all of the weakened glands of the endocrine system and not just focus on the thyroid gland. Restoring thyroid function must be based on more than merely supplementing with nutrient building blocks like iodine and tyrosine. Appropriate treatment should address the obstacles to optimal thyroid and endocrine function, provide the nutrients required by the endocrine system, and support the nervous system control of the thyroid gland and endocrine system.