How Your Thyroid Could Be Affecting Your Fertility
Thyroid disorders are the second most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age!
You can have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, with the latter being much more common.
Research has shown a higher rate of miscarriage and reduced fertility in women with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) where all thyroid function values are abnormal.
Adverse fertility outcomes seem to emerge at TSH levels above 4.0 mIU/L. Ideally TSH should be <2.5 mIU/L when TTC.
There is a milder form called “subclinical hypothyroidism” where the thyroid is considered mildly underactive where affected people show no symptoms and only have a mild change in one of the thyroid hormones on testing.
Another mild variant called Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (ATD) shows normal thyroid levels on testing but the presence of thyroid antibodies, and the presence of antibodies means that they can attack your own body’s thyroid and is associated with a higher rate of miscarriage.
Common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
Fatigue
Weight gain
Dry skin, brittle hair
Constipation
Lowered heart rate
Leg swelling
Increased cholesterol levels
Subclinical hypothyroidism does not usually need treating unless antibodies are positive, there are symptoms, associated abnormalities or you’re trying to conceive and are struggling with infertility.
Studies have shown that thyroid supplementation has improved live brith rate and reduced risk of miscarriage.
If you’re struggling with infertility this may be one of the causes so get your thyroid checked and book with the RSNC to help restore normal thyroid function!
PMID: 26816871
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011009.pub2, 10.1111/tog.12161
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2020.101378
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