Homeopathic treatment protocol developed at Dr Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic are effective in reducing thyroid stimulating hormone readings in 52% hypothyroidism patients within the first follow-up. The results were based on a study of 1200 hypothyroidism patient cases under treatment of doctors at the clinic.
Dr Kalyan Banerjee, Principal Consultant at Dr Kalyan Banerjee’s clinic, informs, “An analysis of over 1200 recent hypothyroidism cases suggest that our evidence-based homeopathy treatment protocols are effective in managing hypothyroidism. We generally see that patients in the early stages can entirely avoid using thyroid replacement hormones while those who have already taken thyroid hormone replacement therapy are very often able to either stop of significantly reduce their dosage. Patients known as ‘labile’ cases, whose readings fluctuate a lot are in great distress because the dosage of the thyroid hormone is constantly being changed. These cases are particularly suited for homeopathic management and respond well.”
Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in India with an estimated 42 million patients. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in India is estimated to be about 11% which is amongst the highest in the world. Women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) have the highest risk of developing hypothyroidism. It is estimated that the presence of thyroid disorders in women has almost doubled in the last decade.
Dr Kushal Banerjee, adds, informs “The detection and diagnosis of hypothyroidism has risen sharply in the last decade due to the combined effect of increased awareness and a significant reduction in testing cost and increasing availability of testing infrastructure. Unfortunately, this has not been accompanied with a nuanced understanding of the condition, which is resulting in introduction of thyroid hormone replacement where improvement in lifestyle and active surveillance of the case should have been implemented. Some symptoms like low energy levels, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, insomnia, intolerance of cold and others are thought to be thyroid related whereas the same may be a result of poor lifestyle. Patients may come to believe that forcibly correcting a minor anomaly in the thyroid function test can address these issues while the solution lies somewhere else.”
It was considered that the long-standing iodine deficiency in the country was the principal contributor to developing hypothyroidism. To address it, iodine supplementation was introduced in 1983 and India is now considered iodine replete. However, there is still an increasing trend of developing immune system mediated hypothyroidism that has been noticed over the past few decades. Recent studies on iodine supplementation are now indicating it to be a contributor to the development of immune system mediated hypothyroidism, like Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Dr Kushal Banerjee, elaborates “Our doctors prescribe for about 1000 cases of hypothyroidism every month. The patients are increasingly being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and subsequent hypothyroidism. There is a need for better awareness about this condition. Euthyroid states, where the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is elevated but the functional thyroid hormones are within the normal range need not be treated with thyroid hormone supplementation in every instance. Similarly, there is limited awareness of sub-clinical hypothyroidism, where some readings may be marginally raised but the patient may not require thyroid hormone supplementation. Starting thyroid hormone supplementation in such cases quickly builds a dependence as the thyroid gland works less due to the availability of the synthetic hormone in circulation. These patients, who may not have needed any thyroid hormones, end up taking synthetic hormones for life. Our patient population has a substantial number of those who should have not started thyroid treatment in the first place. In these cases, we help them slowly wean it off.”
Hypothyroidism poses a significant healthcare burden on the country but there needs to be a cohesive policy to address it effectively. The general Indian population is at a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism as compared to data from other countries. Even today, large portions of the country do not have easy access to primary health care services. Some studies estimate that about 5% hypothyroidism cases may remain undiagnosed. Therefore, a coherent hypothyroidism screening protocol and management modalities must be clearly defined for the Indian population.
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