How Your Thyroid Impacts Your Fertility

Most people associate the thyroid glands with metabolism and the fact that an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) causes weight loss, and a sluggish thyroid (hypothyroidism) can result in weight gain.

What many don’t realize is that the thyroid can also affect fertility. Dr. Kevin Hooker and the Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care team help women dealing with many types of fertility issues, and offer a host of other gynecological services as well. Our practice is known for patient-centered compassion and expertise in women’s health.

Infertility defined, causes and treatments

First, it’s helpful to be clear about what infertility is. We consider infertility to be an issue when a woman has been unable to conceive for a period of at least 12 months. In addition to not being able to get pregnant, fertility problems also include a history of miscarriage or stillbirths. 

You’re not alone if you’re struggling with infertility. Approximately 12-15% of couples also face the problem. 

There are many reasons couples grapple with fertility challenges, from gynecological conditions in the woman, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, to issues like sperm motility problems and the effects of a chronic health condition like diabetes in the man.

It’s challenging to pinpoint the origins of infertility, and looking into thyroid function is just one of many paths Dr. Hooker will take to investigate the causes. Treatments range from lifestyle changes to in vitro fertilization (IVF), when a woman’s eggs are harvested and fertilized in the lab and implanted after an embryo develops.

If the thyroid is the problem, however, you don’t have to undergo treatment as involved and invasive as IVF.

Is my thyroid actually related to my fertility?

Surprisingly, yes. When the amount of hormones that your thyroid produces are either over or under what they should be, problems with fertility occur. Women are also more likely to live with an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism, called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Graves disease is a thyroid condition that leads to the opposite problem, hyperthyroidism. 

Abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels cause various fertility issues to emerge. 

When you have hypothyroidism, or low levels of thyroid hormones present in your body, this can prevent an egg from being released by your ovaries, obviously hampering your ability to conceive. The problem can also wreak havoc with your menstrual cycle, and put you at higher risk for either miscarriage or premature birth. 

Hypothyroidism symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Heavy periods 
• Sore muscles

You might also notice dry hair and skin, as well as becoming cold more easily.

With hyperthyroidism, your menstrual cycle also becomes irregular and the risk for early-term miscarriage and premature birth also rises. Weight loss, rapid heart beat, anxiety, sensitivity to heat, and lighter, less frequent periods are signs of hypothyroidism.

Men’s thyroids can also impact a couple’s success in getting pregnant. Thyroid function problems are associated with compromised sperm quality and motility, which poses problems with implantation. 

Thyroid disorder treatments that improve pregnancy chances 

Fortunately, a simple blood test provides Dr. Hooker with much information so he can get to the bottom of your thyroid-related fertility challenges. Once he discovers what the problem is, he can prescribe medication to normalize your TSH levels. 

Thyroid medication types and dosage are also affected by anything that impacts your estrogen levels, like oral contraceptives. If you have a thyroid condition and go off the pill in order to get pregnant for example, talk to Dr. Hooker about this so he’s fully informed and can create the most customized and appropriate treatment plan for you. 

Radioactive iodine treatment addresses hyperthyroidism, but you must wait at least six months to try to conceive in order to get pregnant safely. 

There are multiple medication options for treating hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, but Dr. Hooker carefully monitors dosage, as some can cross the placenta and affect your baby.

Once you become pregnant after getting your thyroid problem treated, Dr. Hooker watches your hormone function closely. 

Call the Lake Havasu OB/GYN Care office at 928-683-1668 to schedule a consultation to learn more if you suspect a thyroid disorder may be affecting your ability to get pregnant, or book one online.