Selvi, a 25-year-old from Coimbatore always felt ‘hot’. It was so extreme that she felt the heat radiate throughout her body, even her eyes, disturbing her sleep.
She was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism seven years back, the TSH values fluctuating between 6.7 and 8. The dosage of her synthetic Thyronorm pill began at 25 mcg and was later increased to 50 mcg. She had the classic symptoms associated with hypothyroidism – brain fog and poor appetite. Her other symptoms too remained unchanged despite the medication – weight loss, pimples on the face, pigmentation, severe hair fall.
Selvi had been going to the gym for strength training, having buttermilk, including fruits as part of her daily diet and yet, her appetite remained compromised. She was also prone to constipation at the slightest hint of stress or long-duration travel. But what affected her most was how low she always felt, battling a sense of emptiness within.
Married for one and a half years, the IT professional was now keen on starting a family. As soon as Selvi began treatment with us in November 2022, she discontinued the pills of her own accord. A first round of gut cleanse had been completed. While this did not immediately reflect in her TSH values which stubbornly remained at 7.18, her vitamin D level, which was as low as 4.5 during the first consultation, had risen to 30.
Over the course of nine months of treatment, there was a reduction in her acne and hair fall, and she had better control over her anger issues. Her energy levels were yet to stabilise. We started the next phase of treatment with medicated ghee, especially to support her liver, as there was excessive body heat, and a history of pica wherein she had the tendency of consuming non-edible items such as chalk. She responded well to the medicated ghee, the acne and black pigmentation completely disappeared, and hair fall subsided along with body heat and stabilised mood swings.
She became pregnant soon after, her TSH values having come down to 4.5 where it remained, from 7.18 and haemoglobin fluctuated between 10 and 12.5. To Selvi’s delight, she experienced none of the discomforts usually associated with pregnancy, be it fatigue, discomfort, cravings, mood swings, acidity, gastritis or pigmentation. Instead, she felt calm and fresh.
She went about her days without any trouble whatsoever. Considering a suggestion by her gynaecologist, she tried folic acid and calcium tablets in between. The former led to increased constipation and the calcium tablets caused dry skin. Selvi decided to discontinue with both tablets and resorted to medicines as per Ayurveda. This provided the required mineral support without the associated discomforts.
Today, she is the mother of a beautiful baby girl. Selvi’s symptoms are minimal, such as mild fatigue. She continues with Ayurvedic medicines to support her thyroid gland and haemoglobin levels. Interestingly, for the first time, her TSH level has come down to 3 and haemoglobin level stands at 12. At no point since her treatment using Ayurveda had allopathic medicines been introduced. Selvi is proof that one’s TSH need not be below 2.5 for a positive pregnancy. If you yearn to be in the family way, begin with an assessment of your gut to find results that will turn your life around.