How does modern medicine explain the deficiency-cold state and slow pulse described in Donguibogam? There is a crucial hormone that supplies energy to every cell in our body and regulates the metabolic rate. It is thyroid hormone, secreted by the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland located in the center of the neck. The sluggish flow of the body identified by Donguibogam through the pulse is closely linked in modern medicine to hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid hormone (primarily thyroxine T4 and triiodothyronine T3) is insufficiently secreted. These hormones act like our body's commander in chief. They regulate heart rate, thermoregulation, energy metabolism, brain function, and even hair and skin health, influencing almost every bodily function. When the orders from this commander fail to reach their destination properly, our body begins to slow down powerlessly, like a car whose engine has stalled.
The symptoms that emerge when thyroid hormone is deficient correspond remarkably well with the deficiency-cold symptoms of Donguibogam. For example, thyroid hormone plays an essential role in regulating heart rate, and a deficiency in this hormone leads to bradycardia, in which the heart rate slows down. The pulse slows as a result. In addition, energy metabolism declines, leading to chronic fatigue where one feels constantly tired, lethargic, and unrested no matter how much rest is taken. Thermoregulation also deteriorates, causing severe sensitivity to cold and cold hands and feet, which directly aligns with the cold pattern (ε―η) in Donguibogam.
Beyond this, diverse symptoms can appear, including weight gain, constipation, dry skin, alopecia, memory impairment, and feelings of depression. Thyroid hormone also affects brain function and can induce cognitive decline. Because these symptoms progress gradually, many people overlook them, simply thinking, 'It must be because I am getting older' or 'It is probably because I have been under a lot of stress lately.'
However, hypothyroidism is a condition that can be diagnosed relatively easily through a blood test (checking TSH, T3, and T4 levels) and effectively managed through medication that replaces the deficient hormone (taking levothyroxine). When hormone levels normalize through treatment, the body's slowed clock returns to its proper pace, restoring vitality and significantly improving quality of life. Therefore, if the symptoms mentioned earlier persist, particularly a slow pulse and unexplained chronic fatigue, please visit a nearby clinic for an accurate diagnosis and consultation. Listening attentively to the small signals from your body is the first step toward safeguarding your health.
