How to Manage Cat Hyperthyroidism With Holistic Remedies
If you have an older cat with increased appetite, but also with weight loss then they likely have hyperthyroidism. This is a very common cat disease, primarily affecting middle aged to older cats. In this article I will explain what hyperthyroidism is, going over the most common signs and causes. I will then cover your options for treatment, including the most effective natural solutions.
This is a disease that occurs only in cats. Your cat will usually be over the age of 10. She will have an increased appetite, but will be losing weight. Her coat will be sparse. She may be urinating more often. She will have evidence of muscle loss. You may be able to feel an enlarged thyroid gland beside her Adam’s apple. Her heart rate will be elevated (greater than 200 beats per minute).
Understanding Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats where the thyroid gland enlarges and produces an excess of thyroid hormone. This condition speeds up your cat’s entire metabolism, leading to several observable symptoms.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
The classic signs of hyperthyroidism in cats include:
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Elevated heart rate
- Often high blood pressure
These symptoms are important for all cat owners to recognize as they indicate the thyroid gland is overproducing thyroid hormone.
Diagnosing Hyperthyroidism
The disease is typically diagnosed through a veterinary exam. Enlarged thyroid glands can often be felt on either side of your cat’s trachea (windpipe). A high heart rate and elevated blood pressure also suggest hyperthyroidism. A definitive diagnosis is made using a blood test to measure thyroid hormone levels, specifically thyroxine (T4).
Conventional Treatments for Hyperthyroidism
There are several treatments available for managing hyperthyroidism in cats:
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Radioactive Iodine Therapy One of the safest and most effective treatments is radioactive iodine therapy. This treatment involves a single dose of radioactive iodine that targets and destroys the abnormal thyroid cells. It requires a specialized licensed facility and is available only through certain referral practitioners.
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Surgical Removal Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is an option, but it is seldom performed due to the risks of hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) and anesthesia concerns, especially in older cats.
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Medication Most cats are treated with a conventional medication called methimazole. While effective, this medication must be administered daily or twice daily, which can be challenging. Approximately 15% of cats experience side effects such as gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence), allergic reactions (e.g., facial scratching), serious liver disease, or bone marrow problems (affecting 2-4% of treated cats).
Holistic and Alternative Treatments
In addition to conventional treatments, there are holistic options that have shown promise:
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Carnitine Used to reverse the signs of hyperthyroidism in humans, carnitine can be effective in cats too. The recommended starting dose is 250 mg per day.
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Herbal Remedies Bugleweed (Lycopus europaeus) and Melissa (Melissa officinalis) are herbs used together to combat thyroid hormone levels. Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels in rats within 24 hours after administration. The typical dosage is 1 drop per pound of body weight, administered twice daily.
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Homeopathy Nat Mur, a homeopathic remedy, is favored by some alternative practitioners for reducing thyroid hormone levels. In a clinical trial, Nat Mur 30C provided impressive results in treating hyperthyroid cats. The recommended dosage is 1 tablet every 12 hours, with effects assessed after 30 days.
Conclusion
Hyperthyroidism is a significant health issue in cats, but with early detection and a combination of conventional and holistic treatments, it can be effectively managed. Owners should consider all available treatment options and discuss these with their veterinarian to determine the best approach for their pet’s health.
I read recently about a cat food developed for hyperthyroid cats, and I believe carnitine was the active ingredient. I had two hyperthyroid cats, one was not a candidate for the I131 so she had the methimazole. The other cat had the radio iodine treatment (I131)and he was cured and still active and happy. He would have been most uncooperative for medication anyway, and seeing this iodine treatment is a cure, it was my first choice for my cat. The veterinarian can explain if your pet is a good candidate or which treatment is best in your particular situation, they examine the entire animal all the other body systems before going ahead with any treatment. (I dont want to give the impression that a pet parent can safely decide on a treatment themselves)
Our cat is taking the Methimazole liquid twice daily. I just bought some Carnitine. Is it OK to treat with both? I’m looking into the Nat Mur30c & have the same question. All 3 together? I have not been able to find the Bugleweed & Melissa or even how to make the tincture if I found the herbs. In any case, I do not know what is OK to give in addition to the Methimazole. Any advice much appreciated. dwtjan@sbcglobal.net. THANKS!!
I have an 11 year old cat with hyperthyroidism. Because of problems giving pills twice a day the vet felt once a day dosing with 2-1/2 milligrams of tapazole was sufficient. Is that adequate? I give it in Greenies Pill Pockets which can be purchased at the vet or PetSmart.
Secondly I have been told that surgery to remove one or both thyroid glands is successful contrary to what you say. Can you comment?
Thirdly, even though I have heard that radioactive treatment is the best and almost always successful, there is no vet I believe near Vancouver, British Columbia who does it and further for at least 3 months I can have no contact with the litter which is impossible with litter scattering from the litter box and it cannot be disposed of for at least 3 months. I live in an apartment so what do I do with it? Also I have 3 cats. So even if I could get it done how could I deal with the litter? And what about the cost which must be very high for someone who is not wealthy. I would really have appreciated a more thorough article that addressed all these very crucial issues. You say it is a common condition so cat owners like me need thorough practical advice. It is a big worry with vets having differing opinions. Thank you. Janice Chadola. jchadola@telus.net.
I have worked with homeopathic remedies for two hyperthryoid cats. Nat Mur was effective for a period with one kitty and eventually she was put on tapezole.
For another kitty, she has been on a regimen of the homeopathic remedies thyroidinum and iodium and it has been effective. I’ve deliberately not written the potencies and frequency of dosing because of my concern that the prescription should be for the individual but perhaps you could explore this further with Dr. Jones or perhaps we can discuss this further.
I just had my cat diagnosed with Diabetes. He had the same symptoms as hyperthroid.
Can you point me to some help with diabetes. Thanks
My hyperthyroid cat is 15 years old and I tried the Nat Mur 30c for 30 days. It helped him. What next? Do I continue with the Nat Mur? I did some further research and it seemed that Nat Mur is not intended for long term use, so I am now using Lemon Balm and Bugle Weed tinctures. However, one drop per pound of body weight wasn’t enough and I had to increase it. I also sometimes use Acetyl L-Carnitine which has also helped but it takes 500 mg/day or more in divided doses. I give him Rehmania 8 as well to help protect his kidneys. I feed my kitty some raw beef steak, steamed chicken, scrambled eggs and some regular cat food although I stay away from fish because of the iodine. He does look much better now and his symptoms are not as severe, but I wonder if I can do more. I am on a fixed income which is also a factor in what I can do. His 16 year old mother has oral squamous cell carcinoma for which I am also using alternative natural treatment and I’m primarily doing this by myself with some help from the vet. It’s been a rather rigorous learning experience in trying to educate myself in this type of medicine. It’s been one year now since the cancer was found, and I still have my kitty.
Hi Dr. Jones,
Hey, where would one find Melissa and bugleweed for cats? I’ve found supplements online but they all contain additional herbs. My cat’s diabetic, not on insulin, but I give him an herbal supplement called “Si Miao Wan” (for diabetes).
So I bought Nat Mur 30c for my cat who is hyperthyroid ,but how do I give it to him if they are suppose stay in the mouth . If he swallows will it still work? My cats thyroid was normal when he was on the drug Methimazole but then he was getting to much of the drug and he got low thyroid. So the holistic vet I go to took him off the Methimazole and made a herbal tonic for him but now his T-4 is over 40 and his heart is racing and I am afraid he is going to have heart failure. So I brought him to the regular vet he sees and she put him back on the drug but a smaller dose and now on Atenoil to slow the heart rate till we get his thyroid back to normal . But I wondered if the herbs in the Tonic could of caused the thyroid T-4 go up. I cant hear from the holistic vet for days because she is out of town.
See article linked below re efficacy of 1 dose Nat Mur 200C shown in study of 13 cats.
This vet is in Vancouver, B.C.
http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/wsava/2006/lecture2/Dobias1.pdf?LA=1
My cat has hyperthyroidism and I put them on the net mur. . Do I stop the medicine the vet gave me?
Regarding Bugleweed and Melissa/Lemon Balm. Are we supposed to first mix the two together and then measure 1 drop per lb. of body weight of the cat? Or is it 1 drop of Bugleweed per lb. of body weight; and if so, then how much Melissa/Lemon Balm? The way that part of the article is written is confusing.
Yes mix it together and dosage will be 1 drop per lb of body weight
Hi, i’ve bought Bugleweed herbal tincture at 1 – 3 35% but how much do i give to my little cat , many thanks , linda
BUGLEWEED (Lycopus europeus) AND MELISSA (Melissa officinalis). These are two herbs that have been used in combination to combat the effects of hyperthyroid disease. Bugleweed has been shown to decrease thyroid hormone levels in rats 24 hours after administration. The standard dose is 1 drop per lb of body weight of the tinctures given twice daily.
How do you administer herbal tinctures to cats who are extremely difficult and stubborn, and who clamp their teeth down like a Sharpei with a bone? It’s even worse when you are dealing with a difficult pet without any help at all – so one person has to hold the cat’s body and head still with one hand while trying to get the tincture into their mouth with the other hand and still figure out how to open its clamped-shut mouth… Also, don’t you need to mix it with water as you do for humans, so then wouldn’t you need to use a syringe which is difficult for getting small amount of tinctures into them.
In an ideal world one could ask one’s vet, but the vets I’ve seen are not at all helpful, and are hostile to clinets who’d rather spend their money on natural remedies instead of poison pharmaceuticals which fatten the vets’ wallets. I simply do not trust my vet or the specialist vet that I took my cats to. Then the “holistic” vet is a long drive from me, and she caters to the wealthy clients who can afford to fly their pets from coast to coast for every vet visit. That vet never even responded to my email asking if she could help my cat with only natural remedies on my limited income; apparently she only likes her wealthy clients.