Clinical Interpretation of Hypothyroidism in Unani Medicine

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism in the simplest terms can be defined as deficient production of thyroid hormone. Primary hypothyroidism indicates decreased secretion of thyroid hormone by factors affecting the thyroid gland itself. A decrease in serum concentrations of thyroid hormone causes an increased secretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), thus resulting in elevated serum TSH concentration [1-4]. Even though, classical texts of Unani Medicine does not have mention of Hypothyroidism,but the clinical features of Hypothyroidism resemble with the Alamat–waawarizat (clinical features) of su'mizaj barid /su'mizaj balghami (impaired cold temperament/impaired phelgematic temperament) . In this context, a hypothesis was drawn that su'mizaj barid /su'mizaj balghami (impaired cold temperament/impaired phelgematic temperament) may be interpreted with the clinical features of hypothyroidism using modern scientific parameters.