Thyroid and Pregnancy

There are a great number of females in the United States that struggle with pregnancy and infertility problems. Hypothyroidism can lead to changes in female hormone production and can eventually lead to problems with the female menstrual cycle and infertility. The thyroid has a complex effect on the body and this article will begin to explain how the thyroid can affect pregnancy or cause infertility. The video below discusses the thyroid and pregnancy.

There are a number of hormone pathways that can be disrupted if thyroid hormone levels are too low. Some of these pathways can affect the female menstrual cycle and can affect infertility. Some of the pathways that are known today are listed below:

• If the thyroid hormone levels are low it can decrease FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) which can lead to improper follicle development and infertility.
• Hypothyroidism can also lead to FSH receptor insensitivity which can lead to faulty follicle development and problems with pregnancy.
• Hypothyroidism can lead to increased prolactin, which can lead to improper ovulation and infertility.
• Hypothyroidism can also lead to suppressed LH, which can lead to improper progesterone distribution, and infertility.
• Low thyroid hormone can also lead to progesterone receptor insensitivity and possible infertility.

As you can see above, the thyroid gland and specifically thyroid hormone, can affect pregnancy and infertility in multiple ways. If you are having trouble getting pregnant and you know that you have thyroid problems or hypothyroidism, it may be very helpful to have your system checked. Many people that have hypothyroidism also have a disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This means that they have an autoimmune condition that is causing their thyroid hormone deficiency.

It is also important that the person checking you for these problems has a full understanding of functional endocrinology. Simply having an endocrinology background is not enough. A professional that practices functional endocrinology looks to find the cause of the problem and works at that level. An endocrinologist will typically look at highs and lows on laboratory tests and try to fix those highs and lows directly with some form of medication. A professional practicing functional endocrinology will look at the same highs and lows and ask why they are high or low. This is the difference between treating symptoms and treating the cause.

The Orlando Thyroid Project

The doctors in the Orlando Thyroid Project at Integrative Health of Orlando are well trained in functional endocrinology or functional medicine. This in-depth understanding of the endocrine system allows our team to achieve world class results for people struggling with thyroid problems.

If you are struggling with hypothyroidism and pregnancy the Orlando Thyroid Project at Integrative Health of Orlando may be able to help bring some clarity to this confusing problem. If you would like more information, call to attend one of our complimentary thyroid classes today. You deserve the very best!