Case report – Acupuncture treatment in subclinical hypothyroidism

Abstract: Subclinical hypothyroidism is a term used to define a stage of hypothyroidism which appears most commonly in the early stages of the disease. When blood analysis are done, they show increased thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and normal free thyroxine (T4) levels. The aim of the acupuncture treatment is to help the patient’s own body ability to awaken to naturally heal and help reduce the body's stress response, so to improve the thyroid function. In the article is presented a case of 46 year old woman, diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism for one year. The patient has made 11 acupuncture treatments in a period of 3 months. Before the treatment the TSH level was 9.19 mIU/L (ref. 0.465-4.68), during the treatment it decreased to 3.70 mIU/L and after the treatment it normalized to 3.09 mIU/L. Acupuncture points used in the treatment are: DU4 (MingMen), RN4 (QuanYuan), RN6 (QiHai), GB20 (FengChi), DU20 (BaiHui), BL15 (XinShu), DU14 (DaZhui), LI4 (HeGu), ST9 (RenYing), LR2 (TaiChong), BL20 (PiShu), BL23 (ShenShu), SP6 (SanYinJiao), SP9 (YinLingQuan), ST36 (ZuSanLi), KI3 (TaiXi) and Ashi points located on the neck (front and back). Acupuncture treatment as part of the TCM, gives fast and promising results in a short manner of time, improving the thyroid function and the overall body function and energy