A RANDOMIZED OPEN-LABELLED CONTROLLED CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF VIBHITAKI CHURNA IN MANAGEMENT OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM.

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrinological disease affecting the population worldwide. The annual risk of developing clinical Hypothyroidism is ~4%. The global prevalence of hypothyroidism is about 5-10% in women and 0-1% in men. The prevalence of Hypothyroidism in an epidemiological study in eight cities of India is 10.95%.

Hypothyroidism is not a single disease entity but involves multiple systems in the pathogenesis. In the initial stages, symptoms seem to be vague and are often missed to diagnose. Instead, they are treated for PCOD, Infertility, Hyperlipidemia, Depression, etc. The condition of the patient worsens later on by affecting multiple systems. Hence hypothyroidism is an important public health issue.Subclinical Hypothyroidism refers to biochemical evidence of thyroid hormone deficiency in patients who have few or no apparent clinical features of hypothyroidism.Hormone Replacement Therapy (Levothyroxine) is the only available treatment in contemporary medicine. It brings the value of TSH (Thyroid Stimulating hormone) and T4 (Thyroxine) to the normal range but increases in dosage, continuous medication makes the patient drug dependent till the end of life. The major risk of Levothyroxine therapy is over-replacement with anxiety, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and atrial fibrillation as adverse effects.

Though there is no direct reference regarding nomenclature similar to hypothyroidism in Ayurveda, the condition can be diagnosed based on the clinical presentation. An Anukta vyadhi can be appropriately managed by understanding the pathogenesis in terms of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, and Agni. Analyzing the above factors, according to the Ayurveda Principles, we can identify the vitiation of Kapha and Vata dosha along with Rasa, Mamsa, and Meda dhatu in manifesting Hypothyroidism.