When treating hyperthyroidism with TCM, one must have some knowledge of the disease. If the condition cannot be controlled, complications may occur. Since the symptoms of hyperthyroidism involve different systems, including the nervous system, autonomic nervous system, muscles, intestines and stomach, heart, eyes, and endocrine system, improper treatment can cause varying degrees of damage.
There was a female patient with hyperthyroidism who did not take Western medicine after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in March 2024. Her main symptoms were: palpitations, an average heart rate of 110 beats/min (normal is below 90 beats/min), insomnia, intestinal discomfort, muscle weakness, and an electrocardiogram showing sinus tachycardia and left ventricular hypertrophy. After two months of treatment at a Chinese medicine clinic, her T4 level increased from 32μg/dL to 56μg/dL in April (normal value: 5-12μg/dL). During the treatment period, muscle and intestinal symptoms improved. However, the course of hyperthyroidism was not stable. However, the patient did not realize that she was in a dangerous situation, and the heart was the most affected.
The patient first visited our clinic on April 27 with symptoms including palpitations, panic, hand tremors, bowel movement once a day. Weight: 65 kg. Waking up once a night, good appetite, hot flashes, sweating. Heart rate: 110 beats/min.
Tongue pale and large. Thin white fur. Pulse: rapid.
The prescription is to replenish the heart qi and yin, unblock the meridians, and treat hyperthyroidism with Chinese medicine. Chinese medicines such as oysters, Trillium, and Fritillaria are commonly used for hyperthyroidism. And some Chinese medicines that lower heart rate are also used to slow down the heart rate as quickly as possible and reduce myocardial damage.
At the same time, we recommend that patients use a combination of Chinese and Western medicine to treat their condition, that is, take Western medicine to control the condition. At the same time, they should come to our clinic for follow-up visits every week.
On May 10, the patient started taking western medicine to lower heart rate and treat hyperthyroidism: CONCOR 2.5MG. once a day and CARBIMAZOLE 5mg 3 times a day.
The blood test results on May 20 showed that the T4 level had dropped from 62 on May 3 to 32.
The patient stopped taking CONCOR on May 24. The Chinese medicine doctor thought it was feasible because the T4 level dropped significantly and the heart rate dropped below 100 with the combination of Chinese and Western medicine.
On June 21, I went for a follow-up visit. My watch showed my average heart rate was below 90. My blood pressure monitor showed 91 beats/minute.
On July 12, the T4 level was 29. During June, the patient changed the dosage of CARBIMAZOLE 5 mg to once daily.
July 23: The patient is still receiving treatment... (to be continued)
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The patient's hyperthyroidism has caused tachycardia, and the electrocardiogram shows left ventricular hypertrophy. If the condition is not controlled, it may cause heart disease, such as heart failure. Therefore, Chinese medicine practitioners need to be able to judge whether hyperthyroid patients have the possibility of heart disease when diagnosing and treating them. While treating hyperthyroidism, Chinese medicine that strengthens the heart and calms the heart rate is used. This patient's condition worsened in just one month from March to April due to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Therefore, in addition to knowing how to identify symptoms, Chinese medicine should also know how to identify diseases and prescribe corresponding Chinese medicine to prevent and treat the disease from worsening.
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