Can thyroid function affect fertility?

What is the thyroid and what does it do?

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located just in front of our windpipe. It’s small in size but it plays a huge part in how well our body functions. Thyroid function affects our hormone levels, metabolism, heart rate, digestive function, weight management, mental health, cell repair and more.

Thyroid imbalance comes in two forms – hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid meaning too little thyroid hormones is released or converted, and hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid.

How does thyroid health affect fertility?

How well your thyroid functions, plays a key role in your ability to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy. Low thyroid function (hypothyroid) is a key contributor to infertility and is associated with miscarriage. It impacts hormone regulation, but it also affects ovulation in females. An imbalance in thyroid hormones may also affect the thickening of the uterine lining following ovulation, a process necessary for successful implantation of a fertilised egg.

In a nutshell, many women and clients that we work with have subclinical under or overactive thyroid, which is often left untreated when using conventional reference ranges. This is often a missing piece of the puzzle for fertility and just involves a simple blood test.

What are the signs of a thyroid imbalance?

In the case of hypothyroidism, irregular periods, fatigue, constipation, low mood and anxiety, cold sensitivity and weight gain are common symptoms. However, often symptoms are so mild, or patients have normalised their symptoms, that testing is not considered.

If you are struggling to conceive or have experienced miscarriage, having a thorough thyroid function test for yourself and your partner can be an extremely worthwhile investment in your fertility. It is a test that we recommend for almost every client to support your fertility and your chances of conception, a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Do you think you may suffer from a thyroid imbalance? Here at Sorrel Health we have access to the latest cutting edge functional testing to get a deeper insight into your thyroid health and all the tools to support optimal thyroid health, naturally. If you are interested to find out more, contact us to book your free 30 minute call with our team today!