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Red Light Therapy For Thyroid Health: What The Research Says

Last Reviewed on November 1, 2024

Discover the potential benefits of red light therapy (RLT) for thyroid health. We’ll break down the science behind RLT, its impact on thyroid function, and cover key studies that explore its effectiveness.

Can red light therapy (RLT) help your thyroid? The answer is promising, but it may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. While it can’t replace primary treatment like medications, incorporating red light therapy into your treatment plan may be beneficial to the health of your thyroid gland, among other systemic benefits.

In this article, we’ll explore how RLT works to boost your thyroid’s function and all the benefits that come along with it. We’ve also sourced the most interesting studies done on the subject to present you with as much evidence of the efficacy of RLT.

Key Learnings

  • Red light therapy compliments traditional treatments and therapies for thyroid conditions.
  • RLT can reduce inflammation associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders.
  • Red light therapy may improve the function of the thyroid by stimulating mitochondrial activity.
  • RLT has the potential to lower thyroid peroxidase antibody levels, reducing the need for medication.

Does Red Light Therapy Improve Thyroid Health?

Short answer, yes. But it’s best when used in conjunction with other therapies.

The thyroid gland, which is found in the neck, plays an important role in regulating your metabolism. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones and controls metabolism – which is why those with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) might experience weight gain.

Woman with fingers on neck

There are multiple conditions associated with poor thyroid health, including hyperthyroidism (caused by an overactive thyroid) and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT). The latter results in autoimmune hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid – a decrease in the secretion of thyroid hormones.

Red and near-infrared light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or infrared light therapy, has shown a lot of promise in improving thyroid health. The benefits of RLT have been suggested by preliminary findings in several studies. In turn, this has opened up several possibilities in the treatment of thyroid disease.

Some studies have suggested that applying red light to the neck area could be effective in treating hypothyroidism and improving natural thyroid hormone production. For example, in a placebo-controlled clinical trial led by Dr. Danilo B Höfling, participants with Hashimoto’s disease (also known as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis) showed a reduction in their need for thyroid medication after receiving red light therapy. More specifically, those that received RLT needed ~39 μg of levothyroxine per day vs. the ~107 μg dose the control group needed – that’s a 64% decrease [1]!

Similarly, a 2012 study investigated how low-level laser therapy affected the thyroid gland in patients with hypothyroidism caused by chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT). One of the side effects of CAT is that it can cause damage to the blood vessels supplying the thyroid gland.

The results showed a potential link between low-level laser therapy and an increase in vascularization and blood flow within the thyroid gland [2]. This suggests that LLLT may be beneficial in treating common side effects related to CAT.

From these results, it can be deduced that red light therapy may be used to treat thyroid disease in conjunction with traditional treatments like medication and standard therapies.

💡 Quick Note

At the time of writing this article, most of the studies we reviewed used 630, 830, and/or 850 nm red light. That’s not to say other wavelengths don’t work, but rather these are the ones with published studies.

How Does It Work?

Red light therapy has become a major player in treating thyroid conditions, especially considering the results of studies done on LLLT and the severity of thyroid conditions. However, it’s important to remember that while RLT can help with managing symptoms related to these conditions, it is not a standalone treatment.

Instead, RLT should be used in conjunction with traditional treatments like medications to achieve improved results. In some cases, its effectiveness has been known to help patients reduce the amount of medication they have to take to manage their condition.

Some of the most common benefits of RLT for the thyroid include:

Reduces Inflammation

Red light therapy’s anti-inflammatory properties can be particularly helpful when treating the thyroid. When it’s applied to the thyroid gland, low-level laser therapy (particularly red light therapy) with wavelengths between 630 and 1,000 nanometers (nm) penetrates your skin and stimulates cellular activity. This can boost your mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress.

Inflammation is often associated with thyroid-related conditions like chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

Since red light therapy has been proven to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, it suggests that it can also be applied to treat CAT [3]. It does this by reducing autoimmune activity (lower antibody levels) and increasing anti-inflammatory markers, which can potentially slow the progression of this condition.

Woman with inflamed thyroid holding neck

Additionally, RLT improves blood flow through vasodilation. It stimulates the release of nitric oxide, which widens the blood vessels, and therefore, improves circulation [4]. When this is combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of red light therapy, it can increase the amount of blood flow to the thyroid.

As a result, more oxygen and nutrients can be supplied to the thyroid gland, which will promote overall thyroid health. This improved circulation can also help distribute thyroid hormones throughout the body more efficiently, leading to better metabolism regulation.

Improves Thyroid Function

RLT has also been known to positively affect the function of the thyroid. By directly focusing on the area of your neck where the thyroid gland is located, red and near-infrared light therapy can penetrate the skin. In the same way that it reduces inflammation, red light activates the mitochondria of the cells responsible for energy production.

The mitochondria are the main source of energy within cells, which may explain why slowed mitochondrial activity impacts the functioning of certain areas in the body. When there is less energy being supplied to certain areas, they are unable to function optimally. In turn, this may lead to certain conditions or disorders.

Stimulating the mitochondria promotes optimal thyroid function and may also help better regulate the synthesis of two crucial thyroid hormones – T3 and T4. This helps to break the cycle of low energy in the thyroid cells, leading to a healthier thyroid gland while also promoting more energy throughout your entire body.

Thyroid gland with T3 and T4 hormone structures

RLT’s potential in improving thyroid function isn’t only limited to direct stimulation, though. It also shows the potential to reverse autoimmune hypothyroidism by lowering dependence on thyroid medication and fostering new blood vessel formation in and around the thyroid gland.

Reduces Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Levels

Another important effect that red light therapy may have on the thyroid includes reducing thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. RLT may have a positive influence on thyroid hormone levels and production, but it has a domino effect on other elements in and around the thyroid.

One of the resulting effects is the reduction of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), which typically requires the use of medications to lower [1,5]. Decreasing these antibodies is essential in healing autoimmune thyroid disorders. And it’s suggested that RLT can do just that.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are usually higher in people who suffer from an autoimmune thyroid disease. By addressing this autoimmune component of this condition, red light therapy can alleviate the immune response that attacks the thyroid. With fewer antibodies to fight against, this result also reduces the amount of medication patients need to take to improve their symptoms.

This aligns with the idea that there is a significant difference in the average levothyroxine dose that is needed for patients with hypothyroidism who receive low-level laser therapy compared to a placebo.

Increased Thyroid Echogenicity

Echogenicity is the ability of a tissue to reflect ultrasound waves. In the context of the thyroid, it reflects the density and composition of the tissues around the gland as well.

Low thyroid echogenicity is associated with hypothyroidism because the thyroid goes through structural changes that then result in lower echogenicity. Some of these changes include an increase in the size of the thyroid, known as a goiter, and alterations in the composition of the thyroid.

Healthcare professional examining enlarged thyroid gland

Fortunately, red light therapy has been linked to an increase in thyroid echogenicity [1,2].

Still, people have linked the effect of skin rejuvenation (a known benefit of red light therapy) with improved tissue characteristics in the thyroid gland. While this claim is unverified, it’s an interesting hypothesis.

How To Use Red Light Therapy For Thyroid Health

Before using red light therapy to improve your thyroid function, you should always consult a medical health professional. Once you do that, you can start your red light therapy journey. Here’s how to use RLT for thyroid health:

  1. Pick the correct device: Choose a device that is intended for at-home, personal use. It should also be designed to work in the area you want to treat. For example, you may need a wand or other handheld device to target the thyroid more effectively. You should also pick a device that uses red light wavelengths of around 630 – 900 nm, which is best for therapeutic use.
  2. Find the right position: Remember to target your thyroid gland by placing your treatment device near or around the treatment area. You can find the thyroid in the front of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. If using a panel, position the device over the thyroid area and maintain a safe distance between the RLT device and your neck since it should not directly touch your skin.
  3. Have a schedule or routine in place: Typically, red light therapy sessions can last up to 20 minutes. Consult the manufacturer’s guide or follow the advice of your doctor to determine the best treatment time for you. You should also be aware that these treatments need to be repeated regularly, as part of your treatment regime.
  4. Stay consistent: Ideally, you should work with your doctor to find a treatment schedule that suits you and that will produce results for your specific condition. For example, you may need to use the device twice a week for 20 minutes for hyperthyroidism and less for other conditions like thyroid nodules. Make sure to follow your regimen and stay consistent with your treatments.
💡 Quick Note

It’s worth noting that one study found that there was no significant impact of using a 630/850 nm at-home RLT device on thyroid hormone levels and echogenicity [6]. However, researchers did exclude any patients with a history of thyroid diseases. So, all this really means is that RLT had no significant side effects on healthy individuals. It doesn’t say anything about RLT’s impact on those with thyroid issues.

Are There Any Safety Concerns Associated With Red Light Therapy?

No. Red light therapy is generally considered safe when it is used properly with the advice of a medical professional. It is a non-invasive, painless way to treat ailments and conditions and doesn’t usually cause any unwanted side effects.

However, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and your doctor’s recommendations to avoid complications. This is because excessive use of the RLT device or prolonged exposure to red light may be harmful to certain individuals.

Can I Do Red Light Therapy For Thyroid Health At Home?

Yes. You can perform red light therapy at home by using a device designed for personal use. These include face masks, panels, wands, and other handheld devices.

If you’re planning on using a personal red light therapy device, it’s important to purchase one that is intended to treat the concerns you have. Otherwise, you may not achieve the results you desire.

It’s also essential to pick a device that has the features you need, such as using red light wavelengths between 630 and 900 nm. This will give you more effective results than other, less robust devices on the market.

Woman under glowing red light therapy device

Can I Use Red Light Therapy To Replace Thyroid Medication?

No. Although there is some evidence that red light therapy may be effective as a supplementary treatment for thyroid health, it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for thyroid medication. Instead, it should be used to support the traditional treatments recommended or prescribed by your doctor.

Replacing standard thyroid disease medications with RLT may have unintentional health-related complications. For this reason, it’s recommended to consult with your doctor to advise you on the best treatment option for your condition. This may involve a combination of medications and red light therapy sessions.

Final Thoughts

Red light therapy could be a much-needed supplementary method to treat thyroid disorders. With studies proving its efficacy in various contexts, it could potentially revolutionize treatment plans for patients suffering from these diseases.

Based on these findings, we want to start a discussion about RLT and what it can do for you. So, if you have any questions about red light therapy and how it works to improve thyroid function, please leave a comment below.

References

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22718472/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3534372/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523874/
  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1011134421000919
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18631004/
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8073506/
Anne, Founder of Therapeutic Beams

Anne Linde

Since using it to clear up her acne in college, Anne has been an avid user and fan of all things light therapy. She now primarily uses red light therapy for its anti-aging benefits. Anne's mission is to make the science behind red light therapy easy to understand and accessible, so anyone can use it to take control of their health and wellbeing.

John Ni, BSc.

John, a graduate of the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, serves as a respected scientific reviewer at TherapeuticBeams.com. His expertise extends across various domains, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and dermatology. He contributes to publications like Royal Society of Chemistry, Drug Topics, and Practical Dermatology.

John Ni, Content Editor & Scientific Review

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