Evaluation of efficacy of an Ayurvedic treatment protocol in the management of Hypothyroidism- A randomized clinical study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome resulting from the deficiency of thyroid hormones due to their insufficient synthesis which in turn results in a generalized showing down of metabolic processes. However, in Ayurveda, it is not clear how to interpret the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism which is a biochemically diagnosed disease. AIM & OBJECTIVES – To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ayurvedic medicine- Triphala Guggulu, Erand Tail Haritaki, and Varuna Kashaya in clinical signs and symptoms along with the thyroid profile of the patients suffering from hypothyroidism. STUDY DESIGN – Single-blind randomized Standard controlled clinical trial with the pre-and post-test performed. METHODOLOGY – A total of 40 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly abstract assigned into two groups i.e., Group A and Group B, comprising 20 patients each. Group A was administered with Triphala Guggulu 2 tab (250mg) with Sukhoshnajala twice daily after meal for 45 days, Erand Tail Haritaki (5gm + 5ml HS) for an initial 7 days and Varuna Kashaya 40ml with Madhu twice daily after meal for 45 days. Thyroxin sodium was administered in the prescribed dose form among patients of Group B and the data was graded based on assessment criteria and was analyzed statistically. RESULTS – The outcome of the treatment after 45 days was statistically extremely significant (p<0.0001) in the remission of the symptoms of hypothyroidism in most of the subjective, objective parameters and biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION – The Group A (Study group) treatment regimen was found to be effective in relieving the symptoms and sign was statistically extremely significant in muscle cramp, lethargy, edema, and excessive sleep and the result was very significant in dry skin, constipation, hair loss, BMI. The result obtained for the Sr. TSH value was statistically extremely significant.