The Connection Between Thyroid Disorders and infertility

Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front and sides of the neck and front of the lower vertebrae of the neck and the first dorsal vertebra. Hormones released by the gland pass through the bloodstream and affect almost every part of the body, from the heart and brain to the muscles and skin.

The hormone in this gland controls the speed of metabolism. Thyroid disorders reduce or increase the rate of metabolism. When hormone levels are too low or too high, the symptoms of this disorder become widespread.

Thyroid hormones play a vital role in the satisfactory function of various body systems. Disorders in thyroid hormone levels can affect pregnancy hormones, the ovulation cycle, and a woman’s menstrual cycle. This can lead to ovulation disorders and fertility problems.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This small gland in the front of the neck secretes hormones to help the body regulate and use energy. The thyroid gland is responsible for providing energy to almost all organs of the body. Controls functions such as heart rate and gastrointestinal function. Without the right number of thyroid hormones, the body’s normal functions begin to slow down.

Hypothyroidism affects women more than men. It usually affects people over the age of 60 but can start at any age. It may be detected through routine blood tests or after the onset of symptoms. Most treatments rely on supplementing low hormone levels with synthetic hormones. These hormones replace what the body does not produce on its own and help the body function normally.

Hashimoto’s disease

Hashimoto’s disease is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid. Inflammation from Hashimoto’s disease often leads to hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The disease primarily affects middle-aged women but can affect men and women of all ages and also children.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

The symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism can vary from person to person. The severity of the disease also affects when the signs and symptoms appear.

Early symptoms can include weight gain and fatigue. Regardless of thyroid health, both become more common with age. In some cases, the person does not realize that these changes are related to the thyroid until symptoms appear. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Puffy, sensitive face
Depression
Constipation
Feeling cold
Decreased sweating
Slowed heart rate
Elevated blood cholesterol
Dry skin
Muscle stiffness, aches, and tenderness
Pain and stiffness in your joints
Hoarseness
Dry, thinning hair
Impaired memory
Fertility difficulties or menstrual changes
Muscle weakness

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyroid disorder. It produces tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the two main hormones that control how cells are used. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by secreting these hormones. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much T3, T4, or both. Diagnosis of an overactive thyroid and treatment of the underlying cause can alleviate the symptoms and prevent complications.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism

High levels of T4, T3, or both can cause the metabolism to become too high. This condition is called high metabolism. This can cause a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and hand tremors. Other symptoms include:

Depression
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Constipation
Dry hair and hair loss
Dry skin
Elevated cholesterol
Fatigue
Puffy face
Slow heart rate
Swelling of the thyroid gland
Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Greater sensitivity to cold
Hoarse voice
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
Problems with memory
Muscle aches and stiffness
Muscle weakness

Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease is a disorder of the immune system that leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Although a number of disorders can lead to hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is a common cause.

Thyroid hormones affect many body systems, so the signs and symptoms of Graves’ disease can have a wide range. Although Graves’ disease can affect anyone, it is more common in women and people under the age of 40. The main treatment goals are to reduce the number of thyroid hormones in the body and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of overactive thyroid, leading to menstruation and fertility if left untreated.

Related fertility issues

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are associated with a number of factors that can interfere with fertility in both men and women.

In women

For women, thyroid Disorders can affect fertility in a variety of ways, including:

Menstrual cycle abnormalities: Thyroid disorders affect menstrual cycles in different ways. Hypothyroidism in women is associated with oligomenorrhea (reduced menstrual cycle), in which case the distance between periods is more than 35. In contrast, an overactive thyroid is associated with hypomenorrhea (short, very light periods) and polymenorrhea, in which regular bleeding occurs at intervals of less than 21 days.
Disruptions in ovarian function: Low thyroid hormone levels can interfere with ovulation, creating non-ovulatory cycles and menstrual cycles during which the egg is not released.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This endocrine disorder affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. Higher-than-normal androgen levels characterize the disease.
Shortened luteal phase: This is the time period between ovulation and menstruation. When this period is compressed, the fertilized egg may be expelled during menstruation before it has a chance to implant and before the woman becomes aware of the pregnancy.
Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone: Normal levels of estrogen and progesterone are needed for normal fertility.

In men

In men, thyroid disorders, especially hyperthyroidism, affect sexual function in a variety of ways, including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. ways that Thyroid Disorders can affect male fertility include:

Low testosterone levels: Lack of testosterone in the blood can affect sperm growth.
Imbalances in blood levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG): Also known as testosterone-estrogen-binding globulin (TeBG), this protein produced by the liver plays a key role in the transport of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol. In men with hypothyroidism, SHBG levels may be below normal. Hyperthyroidism can cause SHBG levels to be too high.
Abnormalities of sperm and semen: Hypothyroidism reduces sperm motility, changes sperm morphology, and changes in semen volume. Hyperthyroidism has also been shown to affect sperm quantity and quality.

Diagnosis

Infertility is diagnosed when a couple has sex for a year without using Contraceptive methods. Because women’s fertility decreases dramatically with age, women 35 and older are usually advised to see a fertility specialist after six months of trying to conceive.

The doctor uses various tests to diagnose. Because thyroid problems are so common in women, thyroid tests are often done in infertile women. These tests are not usually normal for men unless there is reason to suspect a thyroid problem, such as symptoms of thyroid disorders. There are several types of thyroid blood tests.

TSH test

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate thyroid hormone levels in the blood. Low hormone TSH levels can mean an excess of thyroid hormone. High levels of TSH can mean that thyroid hormones are very low.

FreeT4 test

The thyroid gland produces a hormone called thyroxine, known as T4. This hormone is involved in several functions of the body, including growth and metabolism. There are some T4 as free T4. This means that it is not bound to blood proteins. It is a type that is available for use in the body and tissues. However, most T4 in the bloodstream is bound to proteins. Because T4 exists in two forms in the body, there are two types of T4 tests, a complete T4 test, and a free T4 test.

Free T3 test

The thyroid gland produces a hormone called triiodothyronine, known as T3. Most of the T3 in the body binds to protein. T3 that does not bind to protein is called free T3 and circulates in the blood to a limited extent. The most common type of T3 test, known as the total T3 test, measures both types of T3 in the blood.

TPO test

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme commonly found in the thyroid gland. TPO plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. The TPO test detects anti-TPO antibodies in the blood. The presence of TPO antibodies in the blood indicates that the cause of thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s disease or Graves’ disease.

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the type of thyroid disorder. People with hypothyroidism need thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Hyperthyroidism is treated by reducing the production of thyroid hormones. In many cases, medications are prescribed to inhibit thyroid secretions. Some patients may temporarily need other medications to counteract the effects of too much thyroid hormone until their thyroid hormone levels drop.

Natural remedies for hypothyroidism

The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is the daily use of thyroid hormone replacement drugs. Of course, medications are often associated with side effects, and forgetting to take the pill may lead to more symptoms. In some cases, natural remedies can reduce the symptoms.

Natural remedies

The goal of natural remedies or alternative medicine is to eliminate the root cause of thyroid Disorders. Thyroid problems sometimes start as a result of the following:

Poor diet
Stress
Missing nutrients in the body

The following natural remedies as supplements or alternatives to the treatment plan include:

Selenium: Selenium is a trace element involved in the metabolism of thyroid hormone, found in many foods such as tuna, turkey, Brazil nuts, and grass-fed beef. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often reduces the body’s selenium levels. Supplementation with this trace element has been shown to help balance thyroxine or T4 levels in some people.
Sugar-free diet: Sugar and processed foods can increase inflammation in the body. Inflammation can slow the conversion of T4 to triiodothyronine or T3, thus exacerbating thyroid disorders’ symptoms.
Vitamin B: Taking certain vitamin supplements can affect thyroid health. Low thyroid hormones can affect the amount of vitamin B-12. Taking a vitamin B-12 supplement may help heal some of the damage done by hypothyroidism.

Natural remedies for hyperthyroidism

One way to control hyperthyroidism is to eat a healthy diet. In hyperthyroidism, the doctor prescribes a low-iodine diet before starting medical treatment, which increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

The following natural remedies as supplements or alternatives to the treatment plan include:

L-carnitine: A natural supplement that can help treat the effects of hyperthyroidism is L-carnitine. L-Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that occurs naturally in the body. It is found as a supplement as well as in foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products.
B-complex or B-12: In hyperthyroidism, there is also a possibility of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. In this case, the doctor will prescribe oral supplements or injections.
Selenium: Selenium can be used to treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

The bottom line

There is no doubt that infertility is one of the most challenging medical problems an individual or a couple of faces. Even when the cause or causes of infertility are discovered, constant stress and uncertainty can be overwhelming for those who want to have children.

However, when thyroid disease is found to be involved in infertility, whether in men or women, it can generally be successfully treated with medication to restore thyroid levels to normal. Do not underestimate the importance of regular exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress levels.

Couples who have infertility problems can see Arjang Naim, MD. With a thorough examination and tests, he first diagnoses the problem of infertility and then offers the best treatment solution.

Additional questions

What is the difference between T3 and T4?

They are often referred to collectively as “thyroid hormones” because T4 is largely inactive and does not affect cells, while T3 is active. When the thyroid releases T4, certain organs in the body convert it to T3 so that it can affect cells and metabolism.

2. What is the most effective thyroid medication?

The most common treatment is levothyroxine, a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It works just like the hormone your thyroid gland normally produces.

3. Which nutrients are important for those with hypothyroidism?