From the Guidelines
Natural treatment options for Graves' disease should be used in conjunction with conventional medical care, under the guidance of a healthcare provider, to manage symptoms and support overall health, as there is limited evidence on their effectiveness in treating the condition itself 1. While conventional medical treatments are the primary approach for Graves' disease, some natural strategies may complement medical care. A holistic approach to managing Graves' disease naturally includes:
- Dietary changes: adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and avoiding processed foods, excess sugar, and caffeine.
- Stress reduction: incorporating daily stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, aiming for 15-30 minutes of these practices daily.
- Specific supplements: considering supplements such as selenium (200 mcg daily), L-carnitine (1-2 grams daily), and bugleweed (recommended dosage varies, consult an herbalist), although their effectiveness for Graves' disease specifically is not conclusively proven.
- Regular exercise: engaging in low-impact activities like walking or swimming, aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. It's essential to note that these natural approaches should not replace prescribed medications or treatments, and regular monitoring of thyroid function is crucial, even when pursuing natural treatments, as Graves' disease often requires medical intervention to prevent serious complications 2, 3. Always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements or natural remedies you're considering to ensure they don't interfere with your treatment plan or overall health.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Natural Treatment Options for Graves' Disease
- Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes to an ancestral type of diet, oral health interventions, practice of kundalini yoga, avoidance of environmental toxicants, and supportive supplements, have been shown to effectively put Graves' disease into lasting remission without conventional medical interventions 4
- A healthy lifestyle is emphasized as a first-line intervention for all patients, especially those suffering from Graves' disease 4
Limitations of Conventional Treatment Options
- Antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery are the main treatment options for Graves' disease, but each has risks and benefits, and selection should be tailored to the individual patient 5, 6
- Antithyroid drugs can cause potentially significant adverse reactions, including agranulocytosis and hepatotoxicity 6
- Radioactive iodine therapy can result in hypothyroidism and is contraindicated in pregnant women 5, 6
- Surgery is associated with potential complications such as hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord paralysis 6
Emerging Treatment Options
- Emerging drugs that target the main autoantigen or block the immune pathway have been recently tested in clinical trials 7
- New target-based therapies for Graves orbitopathy, including blocking pro-inflammatory cytokine receptors, lymphocytic infiltration, or the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, have shown promising results in clinical trials 7
Adjunctive Therapies
- Cholestyramine has been shown to be an effective and safe adjunctive agent for preoperative preparation in patients with severe hyperthyroid Graves' disease that is resistant to conventional therapies 8
- Beta-blockers are used to decrease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, while inorganic iodide is primarily used to prepare patients for thyroid surgery 5