Management of Hypothyroidism in Children through Ayurveda Intervention - A Case Report

Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction is an unseen rival in a child's body that hinder their growth and development. Food and lifestyle changes along with familial relationships are found to be the most important cause of thyroid dysfunction in children.  A 15-year-old female child with complaints of increasing weight, hair fall and constipation, heaviness on the face and frequent muscle cramps in both lower limbs for the last 4 months. She was diagnosed and treated with Hypothyroidism. According to Ayurved classics, it can be correlated with Galaganda (goiter). The principles of Kapha Vridhhi (increased Kapha), Datwagni Mandhya (depressed metabolic factor located in bodily tissues) and Rasa-Meda Dushti Chikitsa (treatment for primary product of food digestion and fat tissue) were used, i.e., Ajmodadi Yoga, Cap. Thyrin, Gandamalakandan Rasa and Surya namaskar. The Patient showed remarkable recovery in the complaints, i.e., weight reduction, relief in constipation, hair fall and muscle cramps. Through Ayurvedic interventions, clinical symptoms were reduced and laboratory parameters changed towards normalcy. This further confirms the relationship between disease and adopted treatment principles.