Oakland, CA – Acupuncture for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are known as a way to help people manage hormonal imbalances. Thyroid conditions are very common these days, and I work with patients who are hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, and those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Chinese medicine helps to address both the symptoms of erratic thyroid function, and support the body’s return to proper thyroid balance and function.

For the past year, I have worked with a woman named Laura on her thyroid health. By the time Laura came to see me, she had worked for over a year with her endocrinologist to stabilize her thyroid function. Initially hypothyroid and suffering from brain fog and weight gain, Laura then became hyperthyroid and anxious, and then after an adjustment to her medication, back to the hypothyroid condition. Her body felt ragged from the changes it had experienced over the last year.

When I met Laura her body was running cold and she was tired, constipated, and slept a lot. After hearing about her symptoms and feeling her pulse, it was clear to me that despite the best efforts of her endocrinologist, Laura’s thyroid function was still too low. I began to see Laura weekly, and we used both acupuncture and moxibustion (a warming, invigorating Chinese herb that is burned near specific acupuncture points to strengthen the body). Within a few weeks Laura noticed that she was doing better – her energy levels were higher, her digestion was functioning better, and she felt like she had more focus at work. We worked together for 2-3 months until her thyroid function stabilized. We also worked to address Laura’s stressful lifestyle and helped her find ways to address her too-heavy workload with her manager.

I didn’t hear from Laura for many months until she returned to the clinic to work on fertility. As it turned out, her thyroid function was still quite good, and she had cemented the lifestyle modifications that enabled her to feel less stressed, more relaxed, and more in control of her life. Within a few months, she was pregnant, and she now expects her first child in three months.

If you are frustrated with the ups and downs of your thyroid function and are seeking more support, Chinese medicine can provide many benefits. I’ll be pleased to talk with you about starting your care.