Abstract

AN OVERVIEW ON HYPOTHYROIDISM IN AYURVEDA

Ashwini P. K.*, Geetha B. Markande and Prashanth Jain

Abstract

Thyroid disorders are the most common disorders of the endocrine system. About 42 million people suffer from thyroid disorders in India. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are the two common functional disorders of the thyroid gland, with hypothyroidism being the most common. Hypothyroidism is a hypometabolic clinical state resulting from inadequate production of thyroid hormones for prolonged periods. Approximately 1 in 10 Indian adults suffer from hypothyroidism. The prevalence of this disease in India is 6% and more than 10 million cases per year are reported. Women are 6 times more prone than men. It can result from a defect anywhere in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axis. In this condition, TSH will be elevated, as the pituitary produces more TSH to stimulate thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones. In Ayurveda classics, there is no specific name for the disease hypothyroidism. However, the Ashtonindita Purusha chapter incorporates the hampered functions of the endocrine system to the major extent. The shadows of functions of Agni and its importance can be seen in the thyroid hormones. Mandagni is said to be the root cause for practically all ailments and this is true in this situation as well. It is well known fact that there is a close relationship between Mandagni and production of Ama. The presence of Ama causes its own signs and symptoms which reflects the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hence this study is an attempt to understand the ayurvedic aspects which can be simulated with the concept of hypothyroidism.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Agni, Ama, Mandagni.