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How Red Light Therapy Can Improve Your Thyroid Function

28
jul

Located just below the throat, the thyroid is a vital endocrine gland. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, which is a crucial process that impacts your entire body, energy levels, fat-burning capabilities, and even your mood.

A deficiency in thyroid hormones can lead to a variety of health issues, including:

  • Weight gain

  • Fatigue

  • Hormonal imbalances

  • Sensitivity to cold

  • Dry skin and hair

  • Low mood and feelings of depression

If you are experiencing thyroid issues or suspect something might be off with your gland, you are certainly not alone. In the Netherlands alone, approximately 1 million people suffer from thyroid problems. Notably, half of these individuals remain undiagnosed, while the other half rely on medication (1). The leading cause of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s disease.

In the remainder of this article, we will explore several studies demonstrating the healing effects of light therapy on thyroid health.

Reducing the Need for Medication

While research into the effects of red and near-infrared light on thyroid conditions is still in its early stages, initial findings are highly promising. For instance, a Brazilian study revealed that thyroid patients were able to decrease their dosage of thyroid medication following red light therapy. Remarkably, nearly half of the participants in the study no longer required any medication at all after completing their red light treatments (2).

Managing Hashimoto’s Disease

Furthermore, research has shown that light therapy not only improves overall thyroid function but also reduces the body’s concentration of TPOAb. TPOAb refers to specific antibodies that are typically present in high levels in patients with Hashimoto’s (2). As mentioned earlier, Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.

Another study conducted on mammals indicated that red light therapy enhanced not just thyroid and liver function, but also increased the levels of red blood cells and antioxidants throughout the body (3). All of these physiological functions play a critical role in maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Hypothyroidism and Fibromyalgia

Many individuals suffering from an underactive thyroid also end up developing fibromyalgia. These two conditions frequently occur together and share a significant overlap in symptoms, including chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and depression (4).

Red light therapy has been successfully utilized to alleviate the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, while simultaneously improving thyroid function. Because the two conditions are linked, as the thyroid begins to function more optimally, fibromyalgia symptoms tend to decrease as well.

Whether you have been managing a thyroid condition for years, suspect you might have a sluggish thyroid, or simply want to give your metabolism a natural boost, red light therapy offers a safe, accessible, and evidence-based method to support your overall thyroid health.

(1) https://www.schildklier.nl/info/over-ons

[2]  Hofling DB, Chavantes MC, et al. Low-level laser in the treatment of patients with hypothyroidism induced by chronic autoimmune thyroiditis: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. May 2013; 28(3): 743-53.

[3]  Morcos, N., Omran M., et al. Phototherapeutic Effect of Low-Level Laser on Thyroid Gland of Gamma-Irradiated Rats. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2015 Jul-Aug; 91(4): 942-51.

[4)  Shomon, Mary. Hypothyroidism and Fibromyalgia–What’s the Connection?

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