TREATMENTS FOR THYROID GOITER

Treatment for Thyroid Goiter

A goiter may not need treatment if it is small and not growing. Treatment would be necessary for the following reasons:

• Size inhibits function of parts of the neck
• Growth is fast enough to cause problems in the near future
• Unsightly appearance

If the thyroid were large enough to press on the swallowing tube, breathing tube, or nerve to the voice box, this pressure might cause difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness in the voice. It might be important to treat a goiter that was growing in order to keep it from eventually pressing on these important structures and causing symptoms. Finally, if the goiter is large enough to be unsightly, the patient might want it treated for cosmetic reasons.
The best treatment for a goiter is a subtotal thyroidectomy. This is an operation in which most of the thyroid gland is removed. There are some research studies suggesting that putting a patient on a thyroid hormone pill everyday may help to shrink goiters or keep them from growing. However, there are other studies suggesting that this may not work.  There are also studies suggesting that even a mild overdose of thyroid hormone, if taken for many years, can result in osteoporosis and may put older individuals at risk for abnormal heart rhythms.

Thyroid Goiter Home Remedies/Home Cure

Garlic
According to researchers, garlic decreases swelling of your neck caused by enlarged thyroid gland. He recommends eating garlic at least thrice a week. Many other researchers have also supported garlic as beneficial in treating thyroid problems. There are many plant chemicals that act as antioxidants and in maintaining body cell functions. Many studies have shown that garlic extracts, especially the aged garlic extract, increase production of glutathione. Glutathione is a molecule which is important in maintaining a healthy status of thyroid hormone. So, include garlic in your diet. Here are some ways that you can imply for eating garlic for overall health.

How to use it

• Chew 3-4 raw garlic cloves in the morning.
• Add raw garlic with tomatoes, onion, olive oil to make your own salsa.
• Add minced raw garlic with lemon juice, and parsley to make salad dressing.
• Sprinkle raw minced garlic on buttered toast.
• Add garlic to mashed avocados to make a delicious dip
• Add minced garlic to your sauces.
• Use garlic in mashed potatoes.
• Make tea with garlic, honey and lemon

Green Tea
Green tea is yet another remedy that can prevent and cure your goiter. Due to its stimulating and energy boosting properties, green tea enhances the functioning of thyroid gland. It is also high in natural fluoride and thus supports thyroid. Its antioxidants fight free radicals that are known to promote the growth of goitres and even tumors. Have three cups of green tea everyday.

Ingredient
Green tea leaves- 1 tsp (may also use green tea bags)
Hot water- 1 cup
Honey (optional)- 1-2 tsp

How to use it

• Put the tea leaves in a pot
• Pour the hot water over it.
• Let it steep for 2-5 minutes.
• Strain
• Add honey if using and mix well.
• Have this green tea three times a day.

Iodine Rich Diet
Deficiency of iodine is one of the major causes of goiter. You need to take a nutrient rich diet with adequate iodine. Now what is adequate amount of iodine? It is not too much, just 150 micrograms for adults; 50 micrograms for kids within the age of 1 to 6; and 90 micrograms for children between 7 to 12 years of age. Pregnant women, however, need a little more iodine, 200 micrograms to be precise. So, include iodine rich foods in your daily diet to cure as well as prevent goiter and hypothyroidism.

List of iodine rich foods

• Iodized salt
• Baked potato with peel
• Cabbage
• Cod
• Cranberries
• Eggs
• Milk
• Shrimp
• Navy beans
• Plain yogurt
• Seafood
• Tuna
• Turkey

Selenium Rich Foods
While iodine deficiency can cause goiter., deficiency of selenium can cause ‘weighty’ thyroid which is heavy too. When you provide selenium to your body, it synthesizes it. During the process of synthesis, selenium is converted into one of many types of selenoproteins. There are eleven selenoproteins that get involved with thyroid and production of thyroid hormone. Many researches have found that selenium protects against goiter. So have selenium rich foods to keep it at a satisfactory level in your body.

List of selenium rich foods

• Brazil nuts
• Clams
• Crab
• Grains- wheat germ, barley, brown rice, oats
• Eggs
• Fish- tuna, halibut, sardines, flounder, salmon
• Kidney
• Liver
• Mussels
• Meat- Beef, lamb, pork
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Poultry- Chicken, turkey
• Sunflower Seeds
• Shellfish- oysters
• Shrimp
• Scallops

Sorrel Leaves

Sorrel leaves, also called spinach dock, can not only be used for making soups, salads and sauces but also to treat goiter. The way of using these leaves is similar to that of the other two remedies we have discussed above- in paste form.

Ingredient
Olive oil- 2 tbsp
Sorrel leaves- a handful of them

How to use it

• Add olive oil to this paste and mix well.
• Apply this paste on your neck.
• Crush the sorrel leaves to make a paste.
• Leave for about 15-20 minutes.
• Wash off with water and pat dry.

Whenever you apply some paste on your neck, you should lie down and then apply the paste to keep it in place. If you do not keep yourself in this position, you may not get the benefit as the paste.

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