Red light therapy safe for thyroid? : I had... - Thyroid UK

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Red light therapy safe for thyroid?

Newmummy82 profile image
14 Replies

I had bought a LED light therapy mask to treat my rosacea and for general anti ageing as some of the before and afters on line look great!

As I was reading through the instructions it says that the mask is not to be used by thyroid patients. I’m not sure how much credence to give to this as the leaflets is written in very bad English translated from Korean and all google searches I can find point to red light therapy actually bring beneficial for people with hypothyroidism?! Apparently a study showed increased thyroid function and less anti bodies after using red light.

Does anyone have any experience of this and do you think it could maybe be safe if I covered my neck with some sort of shield whilst using the mask?

Thank you!

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Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82
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14 Replies
tattybogle profile image
tattybogle

I would say , there are an awful lot of different types and watt's of LED bulbs, not just simply the colour. So i don't think 'red light' is enough of a description to go by. And also there's a lot of variations in the Safety/Quality of manufacturing for goods that use them.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

There’s some articles on this red light therapy

joovv.com/blogs/joovv-blog/...

deliciouslyorganic.net/bene...

No idea if it’s quackery

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you, I agree I’m quite skeptical about some of the claims, especially the bit that says that some people no longer needed their medication!

As I can’t find any info about it being harmful I think I’m going to use it but cover my neck with a shield just in case.

Poniesrfun profile image
Poniesrfun

We usd red LED therapy when I was home nursing for wound healing and pain reduction. Red LED is fairly superficial (compared to laser). Professional unit power levels can be adjusted for greater penetration but unless you place your unit directly on your neck I doubt there would be any issues.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It works by encouraging the Increased production of nitric oxide which, in turn, encourages increased blood flow in the area being treated. Treatment should not overly heat the area - there should only be slight warming from the LEDs.

It’s not quick and, depending on condition being treated, may need sustained applications over time to remain effective.

Patti in AZ

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to Poniesrfun

Thank you for the info, it’s nice to hear that someone has successfully used it before.

Cat013 profile image
Cat013

Hi Newmummy82

I developed rosacea about four years ago after having microdermabrasion treatment. It wouldn’t have caused it but unmasked it basically. I was given an amazing cream called finacea 15% gel which worked miracles and I highly recommend it. I was no longer blotchy but I did still get the burning sensation and had bouts of redness now and again particularly when stressed or in poorly ventilated or hot places. My mum has a light therapy machine and I used it last year for a while and I did find it worked well. Two of her patients were no longer red at all. I never used it religiously just now and again.

However, fast forward to this year and now on levothyroxine (post hashi’s diagnosis in March) and it’s gone. Cleared up. I have never needed to use any cream since. When I investigated it further there were clear links to hypothyroidism. x

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to Cat013

Thank you for the tip! I’ll try the cream, I’ve been rosy my whole life even before being hypo and I’ve always been able to cover it with makeup but recently have found I’m flushing more so thought I had better try and get on top of it!

BShankly profile image
BShankly

Hi Newmummy82

Hoping you are in good health?

Quick question... did your muscle twitching stop? If so, could you explain how and why?

Thanks for your time.

B

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to BShankly

Hi, yes it did. I didn’t need to increase my thyroxine. I got my vitamins and minerals optimum, for me I believe low ferretin was contributing to it. I also now take betain HCL every day to keep my stomach acid up which has stabilised my vitamin and mineral levels and stopped them going into free fall.

Feel 100% at the moment.

BShankly profile image
BShankly in reply to Newmummy82

Big thanks... I've been having daily muscle twitches (mostly in my legs) for the past 3 weeks. I've started applying Magnesium Oil directly to my skin and it does appear to calm the legs down. Can I ask... did it take a long time to stop your twitches?

Thanks

B

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to BShankly

Not long once I started taking the ferritin. Magnesium oil dies help too. It might be worth getting your ferritin checked as i discovered when it’s low it can cause leg twitching and restless legs. Make sure you take it with a dissolvable vitamin c tablet to help absorption, I found that made a big difference to how quickly my levels went up.

BShankly profile image
BShankly in reply to Newmummy82

This is great. Big thanks... My Ferritin level is ok / mid range (121), so I'm hoping my magnesium level needs a boost and possibly B12? The muscle twitching is a bit scary. Thanks for the help and support.

B

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82 in reply to BShankly

Yeah that ferritin looks fine, maybe it could be B12 then.

Could be worth getting a blood test to check your vits and minerals to see if anything stands out as being low. Hope you get to the bottom of it, it is a maddening feeling!

BShankly profile image
BShankly in reply to Newmummy82

Thanks! Wishing you continued good health.

B

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