A guide to what’s happening in your body
The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck, yet it plays a huge role in how your body feels every day. When it’s working well, you have stable energy, a steady metabolism, balanced mood, and comfortable digestion. When it’s not, the whole system can feel “off” in ways you can’t always explain.
Two of the most common thyroid issues people face are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Even though the names look similar, the experience of each one can be very different.
What happens in hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive. It isn’t making enough hormones to keep your system running at its ideal speed. As a result, everything starts to slow down.
Common things people tell me during their consultation:
What’s happening behind the scenes is a slowdown of metabolism and circulation. For many patients, this also affects mood. Not necessarily sadness, but a sense of heaviness or lack of motivation.
From a traditional East Asian medicine perspective, this picture often reflects deficiency patterns. The body doesn’t have enough warmth or qi to drive the system efficiently, so things get sluggish. Supporting the body to restore warmth, improve circulation, and strengthen the underlying energy makes a noticeable difference for many people.
What happens in hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite. The thyroid becomes overactive and produces too much hormone. Instead of slowing down, the body moves too fast.
People often describe:
In this case, the system is overstimulated. The body is burning fuel too quickly, creating heat, irritability, and restlessness.
In East Asian medicine terms, this usually reflects excess heat, sometimes combined with internal agitation. Treatments focus on calming the system, regulating the nervous system, and cooling the internal environment.
Why so many people are being diagnosed today
More patients than ever come in with thyroid concerns. Stress is a major driver. Chronic stress pushes the adrenal system, and over time this imbalance affects the thyroid as well. Poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies, long-term inflammation, and even postpartum changes can all play a role.
The thyroid rarely becomes dysfunctional out of nowhere. There’s usually a deeper story underneath.
How acupuncture can support thyroid function
Acupuncture doesn’t replace medication when it’s needed, but it supports the body in ways medication alone often cannot. In the clinic, patients often notice:
The goal is not only symptom relief, but restoring balance to the whole system so the thyroid isn’t working against a stressed or depleted body.
Our patient, F.A., recently shared, “I recently started seeing Dr. Kim after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and I can honestly say I already feel a difference. My energy levels are improving, my monthly cycles are becoming less painful, and for the first time in a long time I feel hopeful. Dr. Kim takes the time to truly understand what’s going on… he listens, explains everything clearly, and approaches each session with real care and intention. The staff is also incredibly sweet and helpful every single visit… I still have more treatments ahead, but I trust the process and I’m grateful to be in his care..”
Thyroid symptoms can be frustrating because they affect so many parts of daily life. But you are not stuck with them. With the right approach, your body can feel steady, grounded, and balanced again. If you’re navigating thyroid issues, getting the right support makes a real difference.
Whether your thyroid is running too slow or moving too fast, there is a path forward. You deserve to feel steady, clear, and grounded again, and you don’t have to figure everything out alone. When you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk it with you, at your pace, with real care and attention.
