The past year was not easy for Amandine Mengin. As the French biathlete revealed in an interview, she had been struggling with an autoimmune disease.
Since May 2025, Amandine Mengin has had to live with an invisible enemy: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
“When I had my blood test done, they found a thyroid disorder with alarming values. I then underwent an ultrasound scan of the thyroid, which diagnosed this disease,” said the 21-year-old in an interview with Nordic Magazine.
Mengin continued: “It’s an autoimmune disease that will be with me for the rest of my life. It wasn’t particularly good news because it brought with it a whole host of side effects: weight gain, hormonal changes, severe fatigue, and pain and discomfort that’s hard to shake. Let’s put it this way: it just sucks!”
All of these factors meant that the young ski hunter found herself in a complicated situation at the start of preparations for the 2025/2026 winter season.
“I lost all trust I ever had in myself. I questioned myself dozens of times – if not more. But above all, I had great doubts and wondered whether things would ever get better again,” admitted Mengin: “It’s difficult to admit that you are sick – especially since you didn’t choose this illness.”
Biathlon talent gained nine kilos
After all, the early detection of the disease turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“We noticed it very early on, and I didn’t even have time to realize that I had gained nine kilograms – mainly due to water retention. I didn’t even ask myself why I was gaining weight and why my training was going so badly,” says Mengin.
Fortunately, her subsequent medical treatment was effective – and Mengin found her feeling again on the cross-country ski trail. The results of her winter: a victory, several podium places and a small crystal ball in the IBU Cup, three placements in the “Flower Ceremonies” at the European Championships and two top 30 results in the World Cup.
