I've been hearing some chatter in the US functional health world about using red light therapy to improve Hashi symptoms and potentially increase T4 to T3 conversion. Apparently there is some credible research supporting this. Has anyone tried this?
Anyone tried red light therapy for Hashi's? - Thyroid UK
Anyone tried red light therapy for Hashi's?
Hope you get replies. I'm interested in learning about this.
I've just finished reading The ultimate guide to Red Light Therapy by Ari Whitten. Sounds interesting but I think I would like to hear experiences of people who have actually used one of these devices.
My functional practitioner has just recommended it for me also.
So I've started on red light therapy, doing my torso front and back for 5 mins each side at about 6-9 inches 2 days on, 1 day off. Will check in 6 weeks if my free T3 has improved. Am currently on 100mcg levo but still having some symptoms.
Hi Hashi-hacker,
What is your experience so far with the red light therapy?
What brand and type of device do you use?
I'd be happy to learn!
This is the one my husband found after a ton of research redtherapy.co/collections/r....
I do 5 mins on each side of my torso for 5 days on, 2 days off, at a distance of about 9-12" (as some parts of your body stick out more than others lol).
Can't report any massive changes yet, other that the super itchy skin that started when I started taking levo has calmed down. I am getting to start T3 very soon which I'm guessing will have a bigger impact and mess with my experiment. I'm sticking with the light therapy though as I live in a non sunny place and light on the skin has got to be a good thing I think!
x
Have clicked onto your suggested link above! A little beyond my budget sadly - sigh ! As hubby did so much research is it possible he could suggest a cheaper model ? Sorry to be cheeky !
Thank you for your post ...
Update 4 weeks into red light therapy. I've not had bloods measured and haven't had any radical changes in symptoms other than my itchy skin stopping. However, an unexpected side effect has been to lose about 4-5lbs. I was about 9 stone 7lbs at the start of this experiment and am now about 9 stone 2lbs. I haven't changed anything diet or exercise or meds, so this is an interesting development, and I don't think is related to the normal fluctuation in weight due to the time of the month. I had creeping weight gain over the last 2-3 years so this is a welcome side effect!
Would love to hear an update on this; did you persist and continue to notice improvements?
Thanks
Hi, still going with my 5 days on 2 days off 5 mins each side regime. I started T3 over a month ago so I decided not to test until I've been on the T3 for longer so I don't have any hard numbers to share. However, I have had another couple of lbs slide off without trying. I think I will probably settle at this weight as I've never really been below 9 stone without illness being the cause.
Is it worth it? I enjoy the 10 mins in the morning standing half asleep and getting a cosy glow from the light, so that's no bad thing. Is it a miracle cure? Probably not but it's a nice to have alongside everything else I do in pursuit of health. I will continue with this as where I live there are very few opportunities to get your skin out and it's easy to do. Would I recommend it? If you've got the cash to spare, then I'd suggest you look into it as a complement to what you already do e.g. diet, supplements, meds, exercise as I doubt it would work in isolation.
Hi there Hashi-hacker, apologies for the late response, and thankyou for taking time to provide your update.
I'm on the wait list at my local library for the book by Ari Whitten.
Very interested to try this altho it's expensive and not easy to source.
On a side note, my vit D levels are consistently at the low end, even though i supplement, and as we're heading into summer here i'll be sunbathing in an effort to boost those levels. Perhaps i'll also gain some benefit from the infra red part of full spectrum sunlight. Here's hoping!