Does poor thyroid function affect your fertility?
Does poor thyroid function affect your fertility?
If you have been trying unsuccessfully to become pregnant for more than 6 months, make sure that your thyroid gland works optimally before performing invasive medical procedures and output thousands of dollars for assisted reproductive technology.
Many women do not know that a good thyroid function for fertility, the ability to become pregnant and maintain pregnancy is necessary. A thyroid functioning under (or above) can prevent you from reaching the desired pregnancy. Although there are many and different reasons for infertility, a suboptimal thyroid function can be the "missing link", especially for those who have no specific reproductive problems.
A complete thyroid examination is essential and should be carried out as soon as possible for every woman who wants to get pregnant, especially if you -
- has been trying to be pregnant unsuccessfully for more than 6 months
- had two or more miscarriages
- has an irregular menstrual cycle
- has a family history of thyroid problems.
What does the thyroid do?
The thyroid gland is located near the front of the throat, directly under the voice box and directly above the clavicle. Each cell in the body is dependent on thyroid hormones in order to regulate the metabolism of the body, calcium levels in the blood, energy production, fat metabolism, the oxygen utilization, the balance of other hormones and weight maintenance.
The hormones that are involved in the thyroid function is the thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), which is released by the hypothalamus in the brain and stimulates the hypophysis at the base of the brain, the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland for the production of thyroxine ( T4) & Trijodthyronin (T3). Much of T4 is converted into the liver into T3 (the active shape). Thyroid hormones are synthesized from iodine and the amino acid tyrosine (in protein) and the conversion into the active form is dependent on the trace element selenium.
A healthy thyroid function can be impaired by -
- Exposure to environmental toxins - electromagnetic radiation, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, e.g. B. mercury and fluoride
- genetic susceptibility
- high stress
- lack of nutrients
- autoimmune diseases
- infections
- other hormonal imbalances, e.g. B. estrog dominance, high prolactin level
How does hypothyroidism (low) affect fertility?
Anovulatory cycles - no release / ovulation. This makes pregnancy impossible.
Problems with the luteal phase - In a short second half of the menstrual cycle, a fertilized egg cell can not nest and leaves the body at the same time with menstruation (very early miscarriage) and is often confused as a regular period.
High prolactin level -due to increased mirrors of the thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) and a low thyroxine level (T4), which leads to an irregular ovulation or no ovulation.
other hormonal imbalances -reduced sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estrog dominance, progesterone deficiency, all of which affect the correct balance of reproductive hormones.
Your checklist for thyroid clarification:
1. Do you have one of the usual signs and symptoms in connection with an underactive thyroid?
- inability to get pregnant / infertility
- miscarriage
- menstrual -unregounting
- regional pain
- low libido
- lethargy & fatigue
- susceptibility to cold / cold hands & feet
- inability to lose weight
- Changes in the texture of skin, nails, hair, hair loss
- recurring infections
- constipation
2. Is your basal temperature constant below 36.5 ° C? measure your oral resting temperature in the morning for 7 to 10 days before you leave the bed for 7 to 10 days. Their temperature should be between 36 and 37 ° C, ideally above 36.5 ° C.
3. Bluttests- For a complete assessment of the thyroid, you need values for TSH, T4, T3, RT3 and thyroid antibodies. TRH may also be necessary. For optimal fertility, your TSH value should be between 1 and 2. Your doctor or alternative practitioner can order these tests for you.
4. iodine in urine - iodine is an important part of the thyroid hormone. Excessive iodine and a lack of iodine can lead to an underactive thyroid. Your doctor or alternative practitioner can order this test for you.
5. Nutrition & lifestyle -our modern western diet contributes significantly to the increase in thyroid health problems. Foods that harm thyroid health includes clever grain, simple sugar, soy products, peanuts and peanut products, caffeine, hardened oils, cigarette smoking and alcohol. Excessive consumption of vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, beets, Brussels sprouts can block iodine.
Pollution from heavy metals such as mercury (amalgam fillings) and fluoride (water supply, toothpaste) can also be harmful.
coping with stress is essential. Stress leads to an increased cortisol level, the main hormone that is distributed by the adrenal glands. Increased cortisol inhibits the conversion of T4 into the active T3 hormone.
movement is advantageous because it stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones and increases the sensitivity of the tissue compared to thyroid hormones.
The treatment of thyroid function is not a miracle cure for all fertility problems, but I have found that in many women as soon as the thyroid health has improved, their fertility problems were solved and they had healthy pregnancy and enjoyed the treasures of motherhood.
If you suspect that a non -optimal thyroid health contributes to your fertility problems or only affects your health in general, take measures now!