Hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease: regulating thyroid function by addressing root causes
An overactive thyroid can cause anxiety, weight loss, and heart palpitations. Functional medicine takes a whole-body approach to balance thyroid function and support long-term well-being.
How to treat hyperthyroidism naturally
Looking to treat your hyperthyroidism naturally, or find out more about how to? This page covers:
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, we’ll work with you to identify the cause of your thyroid condition and treat the issue naturally and effectively, using our revolutionary approach to healthcare. Learn more about our unique program.
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Understanding your thyroid condition
Hyperthyroidism is the term given to an overactive thyroid, which causes the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck to make more thyroid hormones than the body requires. As a result, people often experience weight loss and difficulty gaining or maintaining weight, even when eating more.
Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder that causes the body to produce antibodies that over-stimulate the thyroid gland.
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Understanding your thyroid condition
Hyperthyroidism is the term given to an overactive thyroid, which causes the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck to make more thyroid hormones than the body requires. As a result, people often experience weight loss and difficulty gaining or maintaining weight, even when eating more.
Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder that causes the body to produce antibodies that over-stimulate the thyroid gland.
A deeper look
Graves’ disease is most common in people aged between 30 and 50, but can occur at any age, and is up to eight times more common in women than men. People with pre-existing autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anaemia, lupus, Addison’s disease, coeliac disease, vitiligo, and Type I diabetes, are also more likely to develop Graves’ disease than those without. In fact, around 25% of people with an autoimmune condition tend to develop three or more autoimmune conditions, likely due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A family history of Graves’ disease also increases the risk of developing Graves’ disease further.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism can occur when a person is experiencing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, yet standard thyroid pathology results are not indicative of hyperthyroidism. Specifically, subclinical hyperthyroidism can be defined as low or undetectable TSH, with normal free thyroxine (T4) and total triiodothyronine (T3) levels.
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may not develop until advanced stages of Graves’ disease, or may be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
People with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ may experience just one, some, or all of the following symptoms:
- Hair loss
- Bulging eyes
- Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Sweating
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Weight loss, difficulty gaining weight
- Frequent bowel movements
- Thickened skin on shins or feet
- Warm moist palms
- Trembling hands
- Soft nails
- Difficulty sleeping
- Heat intolerance
- Infertility
- Miscarriage and pregnancy complications
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Scant menstrual periods
Left untreated, hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease may lead to:
- Irregular heartbeat leading to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart conditions
- Graves’ ophthalmopathy, an eye disease causing double vision, light sensitivity, eye pain, vision loss
- Thinning bones and osteoporosis
Get a personalised thyroid health plan, and the support you need to get better
Root causes and contributing factors of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease
What causes hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism primarily occurs as a result of Graves’ disease, but can have several other potential causes too, including:
- Graves’ disease: The most common cause of hyperthyroidism which causes the immune system to enlarge the thyroid and overstimulate hormone production
- Thyroid nodules: Benign lumps in the thyroid that become overactive and produce too much thyroid hormone, more common in older adults
- Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid which causes stored thyroid hormone to leak from the gland. This form of hyperthyroidism is usually short-term and followed by hypothyroidism
- Subacute thyroiditis: Causes painful inflammation of the gland, which may be triggered by an underlying infection or virus
- Postpartum thyroiditis: A form of thyroiditis triggered by hormonal and autoimmune disruption after pregnancy and birth
- Silent thyroiditis: Painless inflammation of the thyroid, likely autoimmune-related
- Pituitary tumour: In rare cases, hyperthyroidism may be caused by a non-cancerous tumour on the pituitary gland, at the base of the brain
- Iodine overconsumption: The thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. In some people, consuming large amounts of iodine in iodised salt, seaweed, and processed food may disrupt hormone production
- Thyroid medication: Thyroid-stimulating hormone medicine for hypothyroidism can sometimes lead to an overcorrection
- Underlying infections or toxicity: underlying infections like the Epstein-Barr or herpes viruses, and toxicity of pollutants like heavy metals like mercury, have also been shown to contribute or cause thyroid and immune system dysfunction
- Intestinal Hyperpermeability: Having a more permeable intestinal tract, commonly known as ‘leaky gut’, can expose the body to undigested food particles, microbes, and toxins that can cause inflammation which can lead to autoimmunity
Common and conventional treatments for hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease
How to treat hyperthyroidism
Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to avoid adverse effects on the heart, eyes and bone structure, which makes it important to consult with a practitioner experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism.
However, diagnosing hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease can sometimes be challenging.
Presentation of the symptoms described above can raise suspicion of an overactive thyroid, and several testing options are available to confirm a hyperthyroid diagnosis.
Blood tests can be used to assess thyroid hormone and antibody levels, however, this isn’t always an effective method in mild cases. Imaging tests can also be used to analyse iodine uptake, including a radioactive iodine uptake test, and thyroid ultrasound.
Conventional treatments include antithyroid medication, which achieves remission within a year for 50 percent of patients. If remission isn’t achieved, or a relapse occurs, a thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland) or radioactive iodine treatment may be explored.
The Melbourne Functional Medicine approach to hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease
How to fix hyperthyroidism naturally
There is a common underlying factor to each of the causes and contributors to an overactive thyroid, and that is inflammation and immune dysregulation. While simply addressing inflammation is not sufficient for treating hyperthyroidism, it is often the first step to regaining control of autoimmune disorders.
Patients often come to Melbourne Functional Medicine with an aim to get off or avoid medication and surgery. Our practitioners approach hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease with a more holistic, proactive, and preventative approach.
Just some of the ways our practitioners can support your journey with hyperthyroid recovery include:
Optimise nutrition: Nutrition and diet for hyperthyroidism is about much more than just eating to gain weight. The foods we eat can either help or hinder autoimmune disorders and thyroid conditions, and our practitioners work with each individual to find the right foods and supplements for them.
Amy Myers MD, author of The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection recommends people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease:
Remove gluten, grains and lentils: Gluten-containing grains like wheat also contain amylase-trypsin inhibitors which are plant-derived proteins that naturally protect plants from insects. These proteins, like lectins in legumes, have been shown to trigger an inflammatory immune response in the gut that can spread to other parts of the body. For this reason, removing gluten, grains and lentils may help to reduce the system inflammation typical of hyperthyroidism.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and iodine: Caffeine and alcohol can aggravate symptoms such as anxiety and rapid heart rate that people with hyperthyroidism experience, while foods high in iodine, such as iodised salt and seaweed, may worsen the condition.
Increase minerals and vitamins: People with hyperthyroidism may develop nutritional deficiencies resulting from inflammation and immune system overdrive. While multivitamins are popular, they’re not all created equal. Our practitioners work with each patient to create a nutritional protocol unique to their needs, which may include thyroid and immune-supporting vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, L-carnitine and CoQ10.
Improve gut health: Reducing inflammation naturally improves digestion and nutrient absorption, although gut health can be further supported with the right proactive approach. Our practitioners can select from a range of probiotics, herbs, and supplements to quell inflammation and improve the digestive system’s ability to absorb nutrients from food, which is especially important for people with unwanted weight loss.
Support immune health: Our practitioners use functional testing to determine the best ways to support each patient’s immune health. A combination of Vitamin D, omega 3, and glutathione can combine as powerful immune modulators that may help to regulate immune function, quell inflammation and improve detoxification for people with hyperthyroidism.
Remove heavy metals and systemic infections: We are exposed to a wide range of sources of heavy metals and other toxins that can harm the thyroid, including contaminated water supply, soil, amalgam fillings, fish, pollution, body products, and the general environment. Chronic underlying infections like Epstein-Barr virus and Ross River fever can also have a damaging impact on immune and thyroid health. Our practitioners can work with you to identify any of these potential issues, reduce your exposure to toxins and address any underlying damage.
These are just some of the ways our practitioners can support people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease at Melbourne Functional Medicine. The approach for you may be different depending on your individual findings. Self-diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism are not recommended due to the serious nature of long-term thyroid damage.
Case study
See how our approach helps our patients achieve better health and richer lives.
Caroline was 8 months postpartum and experiencing a relapse of Graves disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Caroline was working concurrently with her GP and endocrinologist, and experiencing ongoing symptoms including feeling very fatigued, heart palpitations, body tremors, hair loss, insomnia, heartburn, diarrhoea, an ongoing cough, swollen thyroid, sudden irritability, and mood swings.
Read Caroline’s story by hitting the button below
Caroline’s story
Caroline was 8 months postpartum and experiencing a relapse of Graves disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Caroline was working concurrently with her GP and endocrinologist, and experiencing ongoing symptoms including feeling very fatigued, heart palpitations, body tremors, hair loss, insomnia, heartburn, diarrhoea, an ongoing cough, swollen thyroid, sudden irritability, and mood swings.
Understanding the problem
As we often see with thyroid conditions, there was a strong familial pattern with Caroline’s female relatives, including her mum and aunt both experiencing thyroid conditions. Autoimmunity was also evident in her immediate and distant family members.
Caroline had all of the classic Graves disease symptoms. She also had food sensitivities and hayfever – showing a dysregulated immune system. Due to a strong hormonal shift postpartum, and along with her genetic profile, the autoimmune condition Graves was triggered.
Caroline was most concerned about her mood, and her ability to parent the way she wanted to. Alongside her physical symptoms, it was her lowered tolerance, ‘snappiness’ and impatience with her two small children that were her most pressing emotional symptom.
We used functional testing to learn more about her physiology, including digestive health and function, thyroid function, autoimmune markers, and organic acids.
After addressing her thyroid health for several months, we furthered gut investigations, and Caroline tested positive for SIBO.
Implementing the solution
Stress and dietary factors were significant triggers for Caroline’s autoimmune condition. From the outset, it was clear that her primary obstacles stemmed from balancing her role as a mother to two young children, managing a job, and shouldering the bulk of household responsibilities. This overwhelming load left her feeling stretched thin and, most importantly, caused her to feel she wasn’t being the mother she aspired to be. She often found herself reacting impulsively, lashing out in ways that didn’t align with her values.
Coaching Caroline through the chaos of her life focused on two key elements:
Practical strategies: We worked on creating structured plans for her day and week, ensuring she could fulfil her commitments while also carving out time for personal self-care practices.
Emotional resilience: A significant part of Caroline’s coaching centred on reshaping her perception of stress, and managing her mindset. We delved into her psychometrics to uncover the beliefs driving her responses to stressors. By adopting the perspective of an observer rather than a judge or controller, Caroline learned to approach stressful situations with curiosity. This shift allowed her to soften her reactions, fostering a more balanced internal dialogue. For example, instead of reacting with anxiety to an elevated heart rate, she began to notice it with interest: “Oh, I see my heart is racing. How fascinating.”. This non-judgmental awareness made a substantial difference in her experience.
Caroline shared, “Having that reframe allowed me to keep going. Taking the judgement out of what I was doing helped me relax more. I think it really did help my heart rate slow.”
When things didn’t go as planned, Caroline initially felt rattled. Her coach supported her in exploring the roots of her perfectionism, guiding her to leverage it as a strength rather than a source of stress. This transformative coaching process helped Caroline cultivate new habits and mindset strategies, ultimately enhancing her well-being and ability to manage life’s challenges.
Achieving an incredible result
Towards the end of the program, Caroline did a follow up SIBO test which was still positive. She did a course of Rifaxamin which remarkably improved her remaining GI symptoms, and because it is important to have healthy transit time, especially if SIBO has been present, Caroline used high fibre fruits and vegetables to support digestive function.
Even though Caroline’s primary presentation was thyroid, digestion was an ongoing theme, and much of the focus throughout was on gut health.
By the conclusion of the program, Caroline experienced a significant transformation. She had regained her energy, developed a deeper understanding of her stressors, and acquired robust skills for managing her mindset. Her hair loss had ceased, her energy levels returned, and she was able to consistently attend the gym, feeling stronger than ever. Importantly, she became more patient and resilient, moving closer to the mother she aspired to be.
In February 2023, Caroline’s pathology report indicated a TSH level of 0.03 (normal range: 0.5 – 4.0), a T4 level of 12.5 (normal range: 10.0 – 23.0), and a T3 level of 8.8 (normal range: 3.5 – 6.5), along with TRAb antibodies at 15.5 (normal range: < 0.55), signifying significant Graves’ disease activity. By November 2023, her results showed considerable improvement: TSH increased to 1.29, T4 to 14.6, and TRAb antibodies decreased to 0.34.
It’s essential to note that these positive changes resulted from a combination of Graves’ disease medication and the comprehensive program we implemented, as Caroline was solely dependent on medication at the beginning of the year.
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Frequently
Asked
Questions
Can hyperthyroidism be caused by pregnancy?
Shifts in hormones such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and oestrogen during pregnancy can stimulate thyroid function, which can lead to hyperthyroidism. While hyperthyroidism during pregnancy is often transient, occurring in 1-2 per 1000 pregnancies, pregnant women with hyperthyroid symptoms must be assessed and monitored carefully, as thyroid imbalances can cause developmental issues for the baby, and Graves’ disease must also be explored.
Can hyperthyroidism cause joint and muscle pain?
Factors such as a disrupted gut microbiome and underlying infections, nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium, calcium and vitamin D as well as food sensitivities can cause joint and muscle pain in those with hyperthyroidism.
Those with the autoimmune condition Graves’ disease also have a higher likelihood of having the autoimmune condition Rheumatoid Arthritis, which presents as joint pain and stiffness.
Can hyperthyroidism cause skin problems?
An overactive thyroid can impact the skin, causing hyperpigmentation (melasma) due to the increased release of hormones such as pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone. Often those with hyperthyroidism experience an increase in sweating that can cause heat rashes in skin folds.
Some people with hyperthyroidism can develop a rare skin rash called pretibial myxedema, presenting as red, swollen skin on the shins and tops of feet.
The autoimmune conditions Vitiligo and Alopecia areata are also associated with the hyperthyroid autoimmune condition Graves’ disease.
How to naturally fix hyperthyroidism?
Fixing hyperthyroidism involves a deep and broad analysis of a person’s health to detect the root causes and contributing factors of the thyroid imbalance.
A skilled practitioner will explore factors such as nutrient status, gut health, underlying infections, immune function, stress and environmental factors to create a personalised plan to improve thyroid function.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to the team directly – we’ll be happy to assist.