Clinical evaluation of Raktadusti in Hypothyroidism w.s.r. to Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya of Charaka Samhita

Introduction: Rakta is regarded as one of the Pranayatana (sit of vitality) and is required to be maintained properly to sustain the life and the homeostatic state of the body. In Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana, Acharya Charaka has described the various aspect of Rakta in a separate chapter namely - Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya (chapter no. 24). As result of intake of different factors which are responsible for Raktadusti, different kind of diseases occurred in our body known as Raktaja Roga. Hypothyroidism is a pathological condition caused by hypo-functioning of thyroid gland. Thyroid gland synthesizes and secrets two major hormones, known as 3,5,3’ –triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin, which can sometimes be referred to as 3,5,3’,5’ – tetraiodothyronine (T4). These hormones are necessary for thermo-genic and metabolic homeostasis in adult. Hormonal output from thyroid gland is mediated by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by anterior pituitary. In hypothyroidism, there is decreased level of T3 & T4 along with elevated level of TSH in circulating blood. As consequence of Raktadusti, the pathological conditions which are mentioned as Raktaja Roga by Acharya Charaka are combination of independent disease as well as sign and symptoms. Among them many identical features are also found in hypothyroidism. Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate clinical features of Raktadusti & Raktaja Roga in hypothyroidism along with to evaluate the efficacy of the stipulated Raktadusti Nashak therapeutic procedure to combat hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods: In selected 35 patients of hypothyroidism having the Raktadusti Lakshan based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, selected Raktadusti Nashak Chikitsa (combining Shodhana and Shamana therapy) was administered for 60 days.  Result: The subjective parameters for Raktadusti are clinically present in a maximum number of hypothyroidism patients. The result also reveals the significant efficacy of Shodhana (Virechana by Trivrit) and Shamana (Phalatrikadi Kashayam) Chikitsa on relevant subjective and objective parameters with a 'p-value <0.001 in majority of subjective and objective parameters. Conclusion: The features of Raktadusti and Raktaja Roga can be clinically verified in patients of hypothyroidism. Thus it can be said that, Raktadusti has a definite role to play in pathogenesis of hypothyroidism. Rakta should be regarded as one of the main Dushya in hypothyroidism. The patients suffering from hypothyroidism can be treated with the therapeutic procedure responsible to combat Raktadusti.