Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have traditionally been successfully employed in China to treat thyroid disorders and there is no doubt about their effectiveness. They have been used to treat goiter since 1,500 years ago, to treat hyperthyroidism since the 1930’s, to treat hypothyroidism since the 1960’s; and combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine with western medicine have been used for thyroid disorders since 1970’s. There are several studies suggesting that acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can be very helpful in the treatment of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

In clinical research of acupuncture and Chinese medicine combined with western medicine for thyroid disorders in China, as to hyperthyroidism it was showed: 1) treatments of hyperthyroidism with acupuncture and Chinese medicine have had positive result though it shows to be a relatively slower process compared to western treatment; 2)however, they do not lose their effectiveness and have no recurring symptoms after stopping treatment; 3) they have little, if any, side effects; 4) they can reduce the occurrence of side effects of western medicines; 5) they are very helpful for patients who have thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis and  hypothyroidism caused by over use of anti-thyroid medicines.

As to hypothyroidism, it was reported:1) treatments of hypothyroidism with acupuncture and Chinese medicine have more positive results when compared to western treatments, it usually shows benefits within months for most patients. Usually symptoms are improved first, and then lab test follow; many patients get improved result on lab tests after 4 to 6 months of treatments in our clinic; 2) there are little, if any, side effects; 3) there are no recurring symptoms after stopping treatments; 4) they can reduce the occurrence of side effects of western medicines; 5) most patients who have taken medicines for a long time can stop all western medicines when their conditions have changed, symptoms improve and lab tests have gone back to normal after treatments with acupuncture and Chinese medicine.