Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Medications in Comparison with Hormone Replacement Therapy in Hypothyroid Patients and Assessing their Comorbidity and Risk Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Insufficient synthesis and release of thyroid hormone give rise to hypothyroidism. At present, thyroid disease forms the second most common endocrine disorder in India next to Diabetes mellitus. The women are affected more than men .10% prevalence in adult women and 3% in adult men. Symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, aches and pains, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, excessive tendency to sleep and angina pain .Thyroid hormone replacement must be taken for the rest of their life in case of hypothyroidism patients, if they are following allopathic system of medicine and the side effects which these medicines produced are much harmful than hypothyroidism. If homoeopathic similimum could stimulate the body to produce its hormones in a balanced level, then the need for lifelong hormonal replacement in hypothyroidism becomes unnecessary. Methodology: A comparative cross sectional study has been conducted using questionnaire on 60 hypothyroid patients, in such a way that female patients who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism between the ages of 35 to 55 were selected. They were divided as 30 homoeopathic users and 30 non-homoeopathic users. Field study was conducted and allopathic users were obtained through NSS camp surveys and homoeopathic users through patients attending SKHMC OPDs .The questionnaires were filled by the patient. Details regarding TFT values height, weight, were recorded. The comorbidities suffered by each patient were recorded and analysis was made. Regarding symptomatic change before and after medication and also risk factors were added in the questionnaire. Analysis was done using chi square test to compare the treatment groups. Result: From the study conducted, it has been observed that the disease is prevalent in patients between 35 and 39 years. Majority of the patients had conditions like increased BMI(>25). Regarding symptomatic relief in patients before and after medication in both groups, homoeopathic users got better symptomatic relief when compared with non-users. Many of the symptoms has persist even after using conventional treatment when statistically analysed with a p value <0.01.