A review on application of medicinal plants in hypothyroidism

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders globally where there is an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the setting of normal free thyroid hormone levels, both thyroxine and triiodothyronine. In the recent past, the detection of hypothyroidism has been increasing with evolving diagnostic tests and it shows that the prevalence of SCH is greater than that of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the influence of thyroid hormones action on lipid metabolism as well as on the heart is well known, so any disturbances of thyroid gland function could be followed by changed serum lipid levels associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For treatment purpose, application of medicinal plants has proven to be effective with less adverse effect. It improves hypothyroid status and decrease serum TSH concentrations along with improvement of cholesterol profile. This review will summarize the potential role of the medicinal plants in treatment of hypothyroidism and improvement of thyroid status.