Objective
To analyse the clinical profile of patients with thyroid disorders treated at Madhav Clinic and identify commonly prescribed homoeopathic medicines.Materials and MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted using clinic records from Madhav Clinic, Kolhapur. Data of 539 patients diagnosed with thyroid disorders were extracted from electronic records. Demographic details, diagnosis and prescribed homoeopathic medicines were analysed.Materials and Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted using clinic records from Madhav Clinic, Kolhapur. Data of 539 patients diagnosed with thyroid disorders were extracted from electronic records. Demographic details, diagnosis and prescribed homoeopathic medicines were analysed.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective observational study was conducted using clinic records from Madhav Clinic, Kolhapur. Data of 539 patients diagnosed with thyroid disorders were extracted from electronic records. Demographic details, diagnosis and prescribed homoeopathic medicines were analysed.
Introduction
Thyroid disorders represent one of the most prevalent endocrine diseases worldwide. The thyroid gland plays an essential role in regulating metabolism, growth, cardiovascular function, neurological activity and reproductive health. Disturbance in thyroid hormone production results in significant systemic manifestations affecting quality of life.
Hypothyroidism is considerably more common than hyperthyroidism and predominantly affects women. Clinical manifestations include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, depression, menstrual disturbances, infertility, dry skin and cognitive slowing. Hyperthyroidism presents with weight loss, heat intolerance, tremors, anxiety, palpitations and excessive sweating. Goitre may occur with normal, decreased or increased thyroid function.
India has a substantial burden of thyroid disease because of iodine deficiency in certain regions, autoimmune thyroid disorders and increasing awareness leading to greater diagnosis. Long-term dependence on hormone replacement therapy, persistent symptoms despite biochemical control and concern regarding adverse effects motivate many patients to seek complementary systems of medicine including homoeopathy.
Homoeopathy approaches thyroid disorders through individualisation, considering constitutional characteristics, mental and emotional symptoms, general modalities and local glandular changes rather than treating laboratory values alone. Constitutional medicines are selected according to the totality of symptoms, with periodic clinical and laboratory assessment.
Although several case reports describe favourable outcomes with homoeopathic treatment, large clinic-based analyses remain limited. The present retrospective study evaluates thyroid disorder cases managed at Madhav Clinic, Kolhapur, over several years to understand disease distribution and prescribing trends.
Discussion
The present retrospective study demonstrates that hypothyroidism constituted nearly two-thirds of thyroid cases attending the clinic. This finding is consistent with epidemiological studies reporting hypothyroidism as the most common thyroid disorder, especially among women.
Goitre represented approximately one-fourth of cases. Individualised constitutional treatment was preferred over disease-specific prescribing. Calcarea carbonica emerged as one of the most frequently prescribed medicines across different thyroid disorders, reflecting its broad constitutional indications in endocrine dysfunction.
Bromium and Arsenicum iodatum were commonly prescribed in patients presenting with thyroid enlargement and glandular pathology, while Sepia, Natrum muriaticum and Thyroidinum were frequently indicated in hypothyroid patients based on constitutional symptomatology.
The present study primarily describes prescribing patterns and disease distribution. As it is a retrospective observational analysis without a control group, conclusions regarding therapeutic efficacy cannot be established. Future prospective studies incorporating serial TSH, FT3, FT4 values, thyroid volume measurements and validated quality-of-life instruments are recommended.
Limitations
• Retrospective design
• Single-centre study
• No control group
• Variable duration of follow-up
• Clinical outcomes not uniformly recorded
Conclusion
This retrospective analysis of 539 thyroid disorder cases demonstrates that hypothyroidism is the predominant thyroid disorder encountered in homoeopathic clinical practice. Calcarea carbonica, Bromium, Arsenicum iodatum, Thyroidinum, Sepia and Lycopodium were among the most commonly prescribed constitutional medicines. The findings provide useful information regarding disease distribution and prescribing trends and support the need for well-designed prospective clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness of individualised homoeopathic management in thyroid disorders.