The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, located at the base of the throat, is the master gland controlling your metabolism. The thyroid also plays a significant role in many areas of a woman's reproductive life, from conception through to delivery. 59 million Americans, mostly women, currently have thyroid abnormalities in the U.S. A significant percentage of these women are currently trying to conceive a baby as well. Could you be one of them?
Thyroid problems are of two types:
- hyperthyroidism: the thyroid gland is overactive and producing an overabundance of thyroid hormone
- hypothyroidism: the thyroid gland is underactive and not producing enough thyroid hormone.
Ironically, both extremes can present problems for women who are trying to get and stay pregnant. Women with hypothyroidism may produce too much prolactin, which is the hormone that helps to create and maintain breast milk. Too much prolactin can adversely affect fertility by inhibiting ovulation and therefore, conception.
Women with undiagnosed hyperthyroidism may be at greater risk of miscarriage or premature birth, making it hard or impossible to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
It should be a no brainer that your thyroid is tested when you are first experiencing difficulties conceiving but unfortunately it often goes overlooked as a potential diagnosis because the symptoms of both underactive and overactive thyroid can be vague, or attributable to a wide variety of other disorders.
Symptoms of a thyroid disorder can include:
- sleeplessness
- weight loss or gain
- constipation
- memory loss
- hair loss.
If you are having trouble getting or staying pregnant, ask your doctor for a full battery of thyroid tests.
Thyroid tests include:
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Test
- T4 test
- Free T3 test
- Autoimmune Antibodies Test.
In addition, make sure that your physician is a reproductive endocrinologist or other specialist who can accurately analyze the results of these blood tests and integrate them into your care, by evaluating your symptoms, taking your medical history and performing a clinical exam. Proper diagnosis and follow-up treatment is key.
That little butterfly-shaped gland called the thyroid affects virtually every system in your body. If you are trying to get pregnant, particularly if you are over the age of 35, make sure that a full battery of thyroid tests are part of your initial infertility workup.
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