Monika Schnarre became pregnant through a naturopath

Monika Schnarre became pregnant through a naturopath

Two patients brought this Chatelaine article to my attention today. If you haven't read it, the gist of the article is that Monika Schnarre had a series of miscarriages, failed IUIs, failed IVFs, and dealt with age-related fertility issues when she and her husband finally conceived and maintained a successful pregnancy with the child with the help of a naturopath. The patients who showed me this article naturally wondered whether their thyroid was a little different than Monika Schnarre's and whether they should be tested for it. I give all of my fertility patients a list of tests that would be helpful to request from their fertility clinic or that we can perform. Unfortunately, OHIP will not cover the cost of the tests if I complete them. Although we only charge what the lab charges us for them, they can amount to hundreds of dollars worth of tests.

Therefore, we often rely on the cooperation of fertility clinics to be able to carry out these important tests. You would be surprised how many fertility tests are never performed by a fertility clinic. Wouldn't they be the experts? Shouldn't they test the most thoroughly? Unfortunately not, as Monika Schnarre's article shows. She had struggled with fertility for years and had been treated at a fertility clinic and had not had these fairly simple and routine tests done. T3 and T4 are on my list of “must-have” tests for fertility patients, especially if their TSH level is above 2.00. In my experience, fertility clinic tests are often very fleeting. They will test estrogen (estradiol), FSH, LH and progesterone and for many women I have seen that is all and that is not nearly enough. What about testing for androgens or male hormones such as testosterone, DHEAs and androstenedione, as these are the most likely obstacle to successful ovulation? What about thorough thyroid testing with T3 and T4? What about checking the adrenal glands since they help produce building blocks or precursors for sex hormones and work in conjunction with the ovaries and thyroid?

What about autoimmune problems like anti-cardiolipin antibodies, anti-phospholipid antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies? What about checking for MTHFR, a common genetic mutation that can mean a higher risk of infertility, miscarriage and birth defects? How about blood sugar and insulin issues by testing fasting blood sugar AND fasting insulin, HbA1c and maybe even a glucose tolerance test with insulin levels as insulin has a significant impact on hormonal balance and therefore healthy egg development. The glucose tolerance test with insulin levels is the only method to assess insulin resistance. If a woman is insulin resistant, this means that every time her blood sugar levels rise, she needs additional insulin to bring the blood sugar back down. Additional or frequent insulin production alters hormonal balance and increases male hormones or androgens. A developing egg bathed in androgens will not develop normally, resulting in a poor quality egg and a poor response to fertility treatments. Why wouldn't a fertility clinic want to know that this will result in a cost treatment like IVF?

Most of the women I've seen who are treated at a fertility clinic have never had any of it checked, but since these doctors are supposed to be the experts, they don't know how thoroughly their infertility has been checked. They trust that these “experts” would test thoroughly, and they don’t. In my 14 years of experience, I have never seen a woman tested for all of these things without us asking, ever, regardless of the reputation of the fertility clinic.

What I take away from Monika Schnarre's article is that not every fertility patient necessarily needs to have their T3 and T4 checked, but rather that everyone should be thoroughly screened for any factor that could affect their fertility before initiating treatment. since the success or failure of this treatment depends on the knowledge derived from all the above tests. For a more thorough, comprehensive and holistic approach, it is probably best to have a naturopathic doctor who specializes in fertility on your team if you are trying to conceive and are having difficulty.

To read Monika Schnarre's article in Chatelaine, click here: http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/how-i-got-pregnant-against-the-odds/