Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, treated with Shamana Chikitsa principles of Panduroga – A case report

Hypothyroidism as a sequel to Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a very common thyroid illness. The conventional treatment is replacement of thyroid hormone to compensate insufficient production from the gland. The clinical features manifested is of widely variable intensity and may not be proportionate always to the blood levels of hormones. The disease does not have a direct mention in Ayurvedic classics. In such instances, treatment principle is adopted from the principles of treatment mentioned for those diseases which holds a similarity in etiopathogenesis, based on the clinical presentations and Dosha-Dooshya analysis. Thus, treatment principles of various diseases such as Galagandam, Agnimandyam, Sthoulyam etc., are being used for the treatment of thyroid diseases. A case of hypothyroidism presented with clinical features similar to Pandurogam was managed with the medicines described in the context of Pandurogam and Sopham. Higher TSH levels were brought to normal limits and high anti thyroid peroxidase level was reduced with a set of Ayurvedic medicines for a longer duration. Keeping away from the popular translation of Pandurogam as Anemia, a symptom oriented diagnostic work up based exclusively on the Ayurvedic classics, followed by symptom-oriented selection of medicines suited to the diagnosis is effective in reducing both symptoms and blood values. This gives the hope of managing hypothyroidism with alternate treatment methods other than supplementation of hormone for lifelong.