Can infrared sauna help with hypothyroidism? Ann Mari is one of 10 people participating in an infrared health journey to find out if infrared sauna can be a good tool against health problems related to metabolism.
She lives in "the world's northernmost city," Hammerfest, where she works as a senior inspector and professional advisor for the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. When we speak, she has just played a concert with her ensemble, Bymusikken (The Town Band).
– I play the euphonium, a melodic instrument that is a bit smaller than a tuba, she explains.
In her free time, she enjoys sewing. Her dream is to design bags.
WEEK 0 - Thyroid Gland Removed
Ann Mari was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when she was young and regularly takes hormone-stimulating medication. She has always been keen to take the best possible care of her body. In Christmas 2015, she therefore took a yoga course to stimulate her thyroid gland.
– I’ve never been in better shape, but then I started exercising, and the more I exercised, the worse I felt. The doctor said my blood tests were fine, but I was trembling so much that I thought I had Parkinson's. I got scared and didn't understand what was wrong with me.
After several months of trembling, headaches, and memory loss, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland and causes chronic inflammation. It turned out that she had developed hyperthyroidism from too much medication.
– I had little energy and spent my days on the sofa with a constant headache, ringing in my ears, and joint pain.
She was advised to remove her thyroid gland to get rid of the ringing in her ears.
– Do you think it disappeared? No way. In 2018, I tried essential oils. After three months, I got my night's sleep and memory back. My body calmed down, and in 2019, I was back at work after being on sick leave for 2.5 years.
Niacin & Sauna Detox and Weight Loss
After the COVID-19 vaccine, Ann Mari experienced another setback, and many of the same ailments have returned. Therefore, she wants to try infrared sauna.
– In addition, I am overweight with zero metabolism, she says, laughing, before explaining that she lost half a kilo in two months when she tried a Nutrilett diet.
Can infrared sauna help her lose weight? Ann Mari also wants to try a Niacin & Sauna Detox, which is supposed to help remove toxins stored in fat cells.
– I am quite desperate to find a tool that can make everyday life better, and I am so grateful that I have been chosen to participate in this infrared health journey. It’s a really, really big deal.
WEEK 3 - In week three of Ann Mari's infrared health journey, something happened.
– My rash on my neck disappeared, it became easier to bend down, and I think my stomach has gotten a little smaller.
She is happy to participate in the infrared health journey, especially since she experienced a downturn in week two as she noticed no changes in her body.
– I was glad then that I had committed to taking infrared sauna at least three times a week. I am an impatient person who wants immediate change, but in the beginning of week three, things started to happen.
Found Her Own Sauna Routine
The first few weeks of the health journey have mainly been spent finding her own sauna routine, with measures that work best in Ann Mari's daily life.
– In week one and week two, I took an IR sauna three times a week, spread throughout the week. In week three, I have taken a sauna three days in a row, with a day's break, and then two days in a row. I noticed that this works better for me. I want to increase my metabolism, and I have experimented with the latter frequency, which I will continue with for the next three weeks.
She sits for 40 minutes each session, at 50 degrees Celsius.
– On weekdays, I take an IR sauna around 6:00 PM, and on weekends, I take a sauna in the morning. That works well for me.
Infrared Sauna, Niacin, and High Vibe Detox
Ann Mari also takes Niacin and Chlorella 30 minutes before each sauna session to enhance detox and fat burning. In addition, she applies Castor oil to her skin, over her liver. Both are tips she got from Siw (founder of Radiant Health) and Radiant Health's Instagram account.
– For the next five weeks, in addition to taking an IR sauna, I will also participate in the High Vibe Detox to optimize detoxification. This will be a real spring cleaning for the body.
Not an Unpleasant Heat
When asked if anything has been difficult in the initial phase, Ann Mari answers no, with a slight reservation.
– It hasn't been difficult, but I'm a large woman and found that the wall was a bit close to my back the first few times. I solved that by moving the chair more towards the middle. It's perfectly fine to use an IR sauna even if you carry extra weight.
She was surprised that the heat isn't unpleasant, considering hot flashes and menopause.
– I don't like being too hot, but getting warm in an IR sauna is different from, for example, the heat in a traditional sauna. Even if you're in menopause, you can definitely use an IR sauna.
Changes are Happening in the Body
The plan for the next three weeks is to continue with the routines she has established. She might increase the temperature from 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, but she will still sit for 40 minutes per session.
– I am incredibly grateful that I was chosen to participate in Radiant Health's health journey. So far, as mentioned, I have gotten rid of a rash on my neck, and I notice changes happening in my body, also regarding excess fluid that wants to come out.
WEEK 6 – After six weeks of her infrared health journey, Ann Mari reports that she's bouncing and dancing at home to rock music.
She has improved her fitness, it's easier to move, and she has less shortness of breath.
– I went for a walk in town and noticed that the hills were much easier to climb. I was so incredibly surprised (Trøndersk dialect for surprised). I have more energy. I'm no longer as tired after working for eight hours, and now I have the energy to do things in the evenings.
Sometimes, after she's had a sauna, it feels like she's had a workout.
– My heart rate goes up, and I get a little stiff in my body.
Fresh and Fine
Ann Mari has also lost a lot of water, her stomach has gotten smaller, and she sweats a lot.
– I feel like I'm cleansing my body! The health journey so far has been great. I feel so fresh and fine.
She sits in the sauna tent for anywhere from 35-40 minutes per session, at 65 degrees Celsius, and has found a routine of consecutive days, three days a week.
– I think it has a good effect on me.
For the past five weeks, she has been on High Vibe Detox, a liver cleanse. Cleanses are something she regularly does two to four times a year, usually with essential oils. Otherwise, she lives as toxin-free and natural a life as possible, with access to organic products. All food is made from scratch.
– There are no convenience foods here. I also don't use fluoride toothpaste. It's not good for those of us with hypothyroidism. I stopped using aluminum deodorant about four years ago. Now I use crystal deodorant, which is actually the best I've ever encountered.
Gets Energy from Infrared Sauna
Since the last update, Ann Mari has had three hectic weeks with a lot of playing before May 17th, and she has sewn a traditional Norwegian bunad bag for a Nordlandsbunad by order, which she couldn't say no to.
– I sewed it in three days, she smiles, and goes on to say that she has also had some intense workdays of 10 and 12 hours.
– After the last long day, I took a sauna, and it was so good. The energy came after I had showered. It's incredibly nice to sit in the sauna when I'm tired, and I enjoy myself with a good book.
WEEK 10 – "Infrared sauna is a good aid for those of us with hypothyroidism"
After 10 weeks of her infrared health journey, Ann Mari has achieved more flexible joints, reduced pain, increased metabolism, and more energy, and, not least, better fitness. – It's very surprising that you get better fitness from doing nothing, she laughs.
There's a lot of laughter and good humor as Ann Mari talks about her eventful journey.
– Muscles can actually get stiff, almost to the point where you need to stretch after the sauna session. Several of the other participants are intensely focused; for me, it's the opposite. My heart rate goes up, and I sit and enjoy myself for 40 minutes while watching a movie and exercising. It's very comfortable.
Through her laughter, she emphasizes that getting better fitness from using the IR SaunaPod has been one of the biggest surprises along the way.
– Without any extra effort! Suddenly, it was so easy to walk up a hill here in town that used to be difficult. I thought: What is actually happening?
Can Do So Much More
Another surprise was when she suddenly squatted down without thinking about whether she would be able to get back up. It didn't hurt either.
– It's been a long time since I've squatted. It has become so much easier to bend down. Now I have to start working on old thought patterns in my head, because I can do so much more than I have in many, many years. It's absolutely incredible.
Infrared sauna is a very good aid for those of us with hypothyroidism.
At the beginning of the health journey, she experienced the body retaining less water.
– I was constantly running to pee, and when the sweat finally started to flow, it almost wouldn't stop, she laughs.
Hypothyroidism and Increased Metabolism
Ann Mari notices that her body has changed and that her metabolism has increased.
– It's hard to describe exactly what's happening, but I feel that infrared sauna speeds up processes. I've noticed it in my clothes. My underwear has become too big. Recently, I managed to put on a pair of trousers that used to be incredibly tight. My watch is also looser on my arm.
She feels she has had a good detox by losing so much water, something people with thyroid problems can often struggle with, along with low energy levels.
– When I used to be at work, I would be very tired when I came home. I use a lot of energy at work, but what I experience now is that I also have energy when I come home. I don't use up all my energy at work and sit like an amoeba for the rest of the evening.
Ann Mari takes a sauna three times a week, preferably three in a row; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as she likes to do the sessions quickly one after another. She sits for 40 minutes at a maximum of 60 degrees Celsius.
– I drink a liter of water during the session, with a little salt and oils. It goes down quickly, and then I drink half a liter in the hours afterward.
A Good and Different Heat
The rock-and-roll spirit is also back. Not only does she dance to rock music in the living room, but also at work by the copier or while taking a sauna.
– It's good to get moving.
The IR sauna is always placed in the living room.
– I think it's very convenient that it just stands there. It's a nice piece of furniture.
She finds the internal warmth she gets in her body to be so good, which cannot be compared to the heat in a traditional sauna, which first heats the air around the body. In a traditional sauna, you often feel cold when you step out, but after a session in an infrared sauna, the warmth lasts longer afterward.
– It's a completely different kind of warmth.
Getting Her Life Back More and More
Ann Mari approached her infrared health journey with an open mind. The first two weeks were tough, as she didn't notice any changes. Her motivation dropped.
– I had to overcome that hurdle, and I was very glad then that I had committed myself. Processes take time.
When asked if she will continue to use the infrared sauna, a resounding yes comes forth.
– When you're sick, you put life on hold. That's not ideal. Gaining more energy also creates the desire and opportunity to start doing things again.
With increased energy, she also feels like she's getting her life back more and more. Although she is looking forward to her summer vacation, she can reveal that she has signed up for a bike tour in August.
Text: Trine Dahlman
Photo: Private
Read the update on Ann Mari's health journey ONE YEAR LATER!
