Effect of yogic practices on thyroid hormones: A review

Abstract

The beneficial effect of Yoga on the parameters of thyroid hormone has been evaluated through the various clinical trials. Since its review has not been recorded earlier, this study has been performed to investigate the effectiveness of Yogic practices on thyroid hormones, more specifically T3, T4, and TSH. Searches were performed through February–June, 2020 using the PUBMED and GOOGLE. The keyword used for search was Yoga and thyroid or thyroid disorder. Only experimental studies were selected which were reported in English, printed in prevailed publications, and inspecting the effectiveness of the regular practice on thyroid hormones in these studies. A total of 41 studies were selected through various searches, among which 11 met criteria for the final review. Hypothyroid patients showed decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), hyperthyroid patients showed decrease in tetraidothyronine (T4), polar tri-idothyronine (T3) syndrome population also showed positive effect of Yoga. Perimenopausal women showed not so significant change in these parameters. Healthy middle-aged individuals showed increase in TSH in the male population and near significant increase in this hormone was shown in the female population, also there was decrease in basal T3 and T4 in both male and female. All these changes were in normal range. Other two studies on healthy individuals did not show any significant change in T3, T4 or TSH. 1 study was done on hypothyroid patients using hand mudra only, showed significant changes in level of these parameters. In conclusion, it may stated that yogic practice may regularize thyroid hormone functioning and improve total health.

Keywords

• thyroid disorder
• thyroid
• yoga