How Thyroid Disorders Affect Fertility

Because your thyroid is responsible for regulating many of your body's hormones, thyroid disorders can have a direct impact on other bodily functions as well. Some commonly affected hormonal-based conditions can include changes in menstrual cycle, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone, the onset of menopause and the ability to breastfeed. However, a malfunctioning thyroid can most commonly affect a woman's fertility, specifically her ability to get pregnant and carry her pregnancy full-term.

How Having a Pre-Existing Thyroid Condition Can Affect Fertility

The two most common types of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism (or under active thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (or over active thyroid). Each condition contributes in its own way to fertility problems, however the goal with both diseases is to get the thyroid hormone back to a normal level prior to conception for the optimal health of both mother and baby.

Hypothyroidism. Women who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism have slightly more difficulties regarding their fertility. It is imperative that women considering becoming pregnant receive the proper medical treatment for their disorder. Lack of treatment of extremely hypothyroid mothers has been linked to babies with higher risks of developmental problems, such as lower I.Q. levels, as well as cretinism, a condition that can cause mental retardation. Incidents of stillbirths and miscarriages are also increased in women with untreated hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism. Women previously diagnosed with hyperthyroidism generally have fewer difficulties. They often have a more difficult time becoming pregnant. Like hypothyroid women, hyperthyroid women also have an increased risk of miscarriage. Additionally, if their thyroid condition is mild to moderate (as determined by an endocrinologist), there is little concern for any health risks to either the mother or the baby. Women with severe (or unregulated) hyperthyroidism have an increased risk of anemia, high blood pressure and infection, as well as a higher likelihood of passing the condition on to her baby.

Post-Partum Thyroid Disease

Many previously healthy women are diagnosed with a thyroid condition after they give birth. This postpartum thyroiditis can be temporary (lasting anywhere from a few months to a full year) or the beginning of an ongoing disorder. There are some tests that can help a woman know if she stands a greater risk for developing a thyroid condition after giving birth. A doctor can screen a woman's levels of an antithyroid antibody prior to or during pregnancy, as well as determining if a woman has a certain thyroid antibody present in her system. Again, these disorders can be successfully treated once a doctor diagnoses them, so it is important to be your own advocate and discuss any concerns openly with your physician.

Because during the first half of a pregnancy, the developing fetus relies solely on the mother for its thyroid hormones, it is imperative that a woman with a thyroid disease seeks the proper treatment, and women who suspect they may have a thyroid problem immediately discuss their concerns with a doctor who can offer the proper screening.