A goiter is an enlargement of the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland that is found at the base of your neck. The thyroid gland regulates the production of your thyroid hormones, which controls your metabolism. Goiters occur as a result of iodine deficiency or in response to your body’s chronic over- or underproduction of thyroid hormone. If you have a goiter, your doctor should recommend treatment specific to your condition. Although it is not a medically accepted treatment for the symptoms related to goiter, cayenne pepper might help you if your goiter results from hypothyroidism.
Traditional Treatment
Your doctor may choose to observe your goiter if it is small and is not due to abnormal thyroid function. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism – an overproduction of thyroid hormone – or hypothyroidism – an underproduction of thyroid hormone – your doctor will prescribe medications to treat the specific condition and lead to shrinking of the goiter. In some cases, surgery or radioactive iodine treatments are used for goiter.
Cayenne and Circulation
While you should follow the instructions of your physician, alternative therapies may make you more comfortable when suffering from a goiter. If your goiter is due to hypothyroidism, you may experience symptoms such as intolerance to cold, weight gain and fatigue. Cayenne pepper, which contains capsaicin – a compound that gives the pepper its heat -- is used in alternative medicine to rev your circulatory system and can help improve your energy and temperature control.
Weight Loss
The presence of a goiter may mean you are more vulnerable to weight gain due to hypothyroidism. Cayenne pepper may cause a slight increase in your metabolism, as suggested by a study in the “Journal of Biological Chemistry” published in 2008. Cayenne also has the potential to suppress your appetite, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. While weight loss will not affect your goiter, it can help you better manage your health and frustration with your thyroid disease.
Considerations
Although a goiter usually does not cause harm, it can be unsightly. Extremely large goiters can be bothersome and cause coughing or obstruct your ability to swallow or breathe. If you decide to use cayenne to treat symptoms associated with goiter, consult your physician first. Cayenne is unlikely to help with goiters caused by hyperthyroidism, iodine deficiency or inflamed thyroid glands. Recognize that no medical research supports the use of cayenne to treat goiter or thyroid disorders.
