title: Efficacy of homeopathic intervention in subclinical hypothyroidism with or without autoimmune thyroiditis in children: an exploratory randomized control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The decision to treat subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) with or without autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in children, presents a clinical dilemma. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of individualized homeopathy in these cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is an exploratory, randomized, placebo controlled, single blind trial. Out of 5059 school children (06-18 years) screened for thyroid disorders, 537 children had SCH/AIT and 194 consented to participate. Based on primary outcome measures (TSH and/or antiTPOab) three major groups were formed: Group A - SCH + AIT (n = 38; high TSH with antiTPOab+), Group B - AIT (n = 47; normal TSH with antiTPOab+) and Group C - SCH (n = 109; only high TSH) and were further randomized to two subgroups-verum and control. Individualized homeopathy or identical placebo was given to respective subgroup. 162 patients completed 18 months of study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics were similar in all the subgroups. The post treatment serum TSH (Group A and C) returned to normal limits in 85.94% of verum and 64.29% of controls (p < 0.006), while serum AntiTPOab titers (Group A and B) returned within normal limits in 70.27%of verum and 27.02%controls (p < 0.05). Eight children (10.5%) progressed to overt hypothyroidism (OH) from control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A statistically significant decline in serum TSH values and antiTPOab titers indicates that the homeopathic intervention has not only the potential to treat SCH with or without antiTPOab but may also prevent progression to OH.
authors.affiliation: Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: vkchauhan2002@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vijay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.affiliation: Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, India. Electronic address: rkmanchanda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Raj K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Manchanda
authors.affiliation: Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: drachana72@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: marwaha_ramank@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Raman K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Marwaha
authors.affiliation: Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, India. Electronic address: dr.saurav.arora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saurav
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: latika.doc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Latika
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nagpal
authors.affiliation: Directorate of Indian System of Medicine & Homeopathy, Government of NCT of Delhi, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: ddhomoeopathy@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Surender K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: sreenivas_vishnu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sreenivas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D007194:India; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin
keywords: Anti TPO antibody; Autoimmune thyroiditis; Individualized homeopathy; Overt hypothyroidism; Subclinical hypothyroidism