THYROID & INFERTILITY
THYROID & INFERTILITY
The health and function of the thyroid gland is directly related to a woman’s menstrual cycle, her fertility and her health. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped organ which sits in the front of the neck . It serves as a control center for many critical functions in the body like metabolism, brain function, menstrual cycles and fertility.
Because the thyroid gland is part of our hormonal system, the thyroid interacts with every other hormonal system in the body including the ovaries, adrenals, and pituitary, and is critical for a woman’s optimal reproductive health. When a woman is having difficulty getting pregnant, evaluation of her thyroid for optimal function must always be considered.
If you have been unable to conceive a child, hormone expert Dr. Ruthie Harper can conduct thorough blood work, to help you determine if a thyroid or other hormonal deficiency or imbalance may be a contributing to your fertility issues.
Hypothyroidism & Infertility
Hypothyroidism, in which too little thyroid hormone is produced, is extremely common in women. It is often an undetected cause of menstrual cycle and fertility problems. Hypothyroidism often leads to a deficiency of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can cause irregular cycles that result in infertility. A decrease in thyroid hormone production can also slow down metabolism and reduce cellular energy to the point that normal ovulation ceases.
Low thyroid hormone production can also cause a shorter “luteal phase” – which is the portion of the menstrual cycle after ovulation when the body prepares for pregnancy. Insufficient thyroid hormone can also compromise the quality of the cervical fluid that is necessary for the sperm to enter the uterus and reach the egg.
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. This form of low thyroid production can also cause irregular, short or absent menstrual cycles, making it difficult for a woman to become pregnant.
Hyperthyroidism & Fertility
Hyperthyroidism, in which too much thyroid hormone is produced, is less common in women than hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the excessive amount of thyroid hormone causes overstimulation of your body which can lead o symptoms such as anxiety, rapid heart rate, bone loss and difficulty getting pregnant.
Hyperthyroidism is commonly caused by Graves’ disease- another type of autoimmune thyroid disease affecting the thyroid gland. Unlike hypothyroidism, hyperthyroid individuals typically are aware of this condition because the symptoms of Graves’ disease are not vague.
In cases of inability to become pregnant, a complete thyroid evaluation should be conducted that includes TSH testing, as well as additional tests of thyroid function including total T4, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies).
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