Hyperthyroidism in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hyperthyroidism is often associated with patterns of Heat, Liver Qi stagnation, Phlegm-Fire, or Yin deficiency. Common manifestations include weight loss despite eating well, palpitations, irritability, sweating, insomnia, thirst, and sensations of fullness or obstruction in the throat.

Treatment focuses on clearing Heat, regulating Liver Qi, transforming Phlegm, nourishing Yin, and calming the Spirit.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Hot Stomach Excess hunger, thirst, bad breath, gum swelling, weight loss Clear Stomach Heat and disperse Liver Qi stagnation Dao-Chi-Cheng-Qi-Tang Banana, cucumber, spinach, black fungus, licorice
Liver Energy Congestion Emotional stress, insomnia, throat obstruction, swollen tonsils Regulate Liver Qi, transform Phlegm, relieve congestion Si-Hai-Shu-Yu-Wan Kumquat, turmeric, garlic, spearmint, sweet basil
Phlegm-Fire Palpitations, sweating, emotional irritability, heat intolerance Clear Phlegm-Fire, nourish the Heart, calm the Spirit Er-Yin-Jian with Ding-Zhi-Wan Pear, radish, asparagus, bamboo shoot
Liver-Kidneys Yin Deficiency Fatigue, dizziness, lumbago, night sweats, insomnia Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin Sheng-Mai-San with Yi-Guan-Jian White fungus, oyster, duck egg, asparagus
Deficiency Fire Night sweats, red complexion, dry throat, irritability Nourish Yin, clear Deficient Heat Yu-Nü-Jian with Zeng-Yi-Tang Oyster, asparagus, duck egg, purslane
Simultaneous Qi and Yin Deficiency Fatigue, thirst, palpitations, dry mouth, poor appetite Tonify Qi and nourish Yin Di-Huang-Yin-Zi White fungus, yam, royal jelly, duck egg

Hot Stomach Pattern

Common Signs

  • Excessive hunger

  • Weight loss despite eating

  • Bad breath

  • Gum swelling or bleeding

  • Thirst with desire for cold drinks

  • Stomachache

  • Head sweating

  • Vomiting

  • Nosebleeds

Treatment Principle

Clear Stomach Heat and disperse Liver Qi stagnation.

Traditional Formula

Dao-Chi-Cheng-Qi-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Banana

  • Cucumber

  • Spinach

  • Strawberry

  • Black fungus

  • Bitter endive

  • Lily flower

  • Licorice

  • Camellia

  • Cattail

Liver Energy Congestion

Common Signs

  • Emotional tension

  • Worrying

  • Insomnia

  • Sensation of something stuck in the throat

  • Swollen tonsils

  • Upper abdominal discomfort

  • Stomachache

  • Abdominal distention

Treatment Principle

Regulate Liver Qi, transform Phlegm, and relieve congestion.

Traditional Formula

Si-Hai-Shu-Yu-Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Kumquat

  • Turmeric

  • Garlic

  • Spearmint

  • Sweet basil

  • Tofu

  • Coconut meat

  • Sweet potato

  • Oregano

  • Saffron

Phlegm-Fire Pattern

Common Signs

  • Heat intolerance

  • Excessive sweating

  • Emotional agitation

  • Palpitations

  • Insomnia

  • Swollen tonsils

  • Increased appetite

  • Irritability

  • Ringing in the ears

Treatment Principle

Clear Phlegm-Fire, nourish the Heart, and calm the Spirit.

Traditional Formula

Er-Yin-Jian with Ding-Zhi-Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Pear

  • Radish

  • Asparagus

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Crown daisy

  • Fresh ginger

  • Dates

Liver-Kidneys Yin Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue

  • Lower back weakness

  • Night sweats

  • Dry eyes or throat

  • Insomnia with forgetfulness

  • Upper abdominal pain

  • Hot palms and soles

Treatment Principle

Nourish Liver Yin and Kidney Yin while supporting Qi.

Traditional Formula

Sheng-Mai-San with Yi-Guan-Jian

Traditional Food Therapy

  • White fungus

  • Oyster

  • Abalone

  • Asparagus

  • Duck

  • Duck egg

  • Pork

  • Royal jelly

  • Chestnut

  • Chicken liver

Deficiency Fire

Common Signs

  • Excessive sweating

  • Red complexion

  • Irritability

  • Night sweats

  • Dry throat

  • Dry mouth

  • Hot sensations in the body

  • Insomnia

  • Ringing in the ears

Treatment Principle

Nourish Yin, generate fluids, clear Heat, and support the Lung and Stomach.

Traditional Formula

Yu-Nü-Jian with Zeng-Yi-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Oyster

  • Duck egg

  • Chicken egg

  • Asparagus

  • Purslane

  • Mung bean

  • Banana

  • Cucumber

  • Spinach

Simultaneous Qi and Yin Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Fatigue

  • Excessive sweating

  • Thirst

  • Dry mouth

  • Palpitations

  • Poor appetite

  • Sore throat

  • Constipation

  • Afternoon fever

  • Scant urine

Treatment Principle

Tonify Qi, nourish Yin, support the Lungs, and strengthen the Kidneys.

Traditional Formula

Di-Huang-Yin-Zi

Traditional Food Therapy

  • White fungus

  • Yam

  • Royal jelly

  • Duck egg

  • Oyster

  • Abalone

  • Kidney bean

  • Grapes

  • Longan

  • Sweet rice

  • Red dates

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Traditional dietary recommendations for hyperthyroid presentations often emphasize:

  • Cooling and moistening foods

  • Foods that nourish Yin and body fluids

  • Avoidance of excessive spicy, greasy, or heating foods

  • Adequate nourishment despite weight loss

  • Support for digestion and emotional balance

Commonly recommended foods include:

  • Pear

  • Banana

  • Cucumber

  • White fungus

  • Asparagus

  • Oyster

  • Duck egg

  • Mung bean

  • Spinach

  • Yam

  • Red dates

Related Formulas

  • Dao-Chi-Cheng-Qi-Tang

  • Si-Hai-Shu-Yu-Wan

  • Er-Yin-Jian

  • Ding-Zhi-Wan

  • Sheng-Mai-San

  • Yi-Guan-Jian

  • Yu-Nü-Jian

  • Zeng-Yi-Tang

  • Di-Huang-Yin-Zi

Important Note

Hyperthyroidism can affect the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems and should be evaluated and managed by a qualified healthcare professional. Traditional Chinese Medicine may be used as a complementary approach alongside appropriate medical care.