Introducing Yoga and Naturopathy based Lifestyle Modification in the Management of Hypothyroidism in a Woman with Levothyroxine Intolerance. A Case Report with Three Years' Follow-up.

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrinopathies, primarily affecting women, and if untreated, it can lead to serious life-threatening complications. The management of hypothyroidism is challenging due to its uncommon presentations and associated physical and psychological comorbidities. Here, we present the case of a 53-year-old female who presented with increased body weight, full-body aches, indigestion, chronic fatigue, altered mental state, insomnia, and self-reported intolerance to levothyroxine. She underwent a yoga- and naturopathy-based lifestyle intervention through telehealth for an initial period of 2.8 years and later as an inpatient for 20 days. Her thyroid-stimulating hormone levels reduced from 78.36 uIU/ml to 14.62 uIU/ml over 3 years. Significant improvements were also observed in her body mass index (from 32 to 26 kg/m²), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (from 15 to 5), and SF-12 quality of life (physical: from 23.86 to 52.22 and mental: from 22.46 to 53.63). Yoga- and naturopathy-based interventions may offer a safe therapeutic alternative for patients who experience significant side effects from levothyroxine. However, robust trials are needed to validate this finding.