Thyroid Hormone Affects Conceiving

Thyroid hormones have an effect on conception and infertility. The thyroid (goiter) is located in the anterior part of the neck and is located on both sides of the trachea. Thyroid hormone, which ensures the healthy functioning of many organs, is produced by the thyroid gland. Before pregnancy, thyroid hormones, which are among the problems that prevent women from getting pregnant, give. It should be kept under control during pregnancy and after pregnancy. Women cannot achieve pregnancy due to many factors that disrupt the balance of the body, such as stress, air pollution, unhealthy diet and genetic factors. Polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility and miscarriage may occur due to the hormone secreted by the thyroid gland either excessively or less. The effects of thyroid hormone continue during pregnancy as well.

Thyroid Hormone (Goiter) Affects Conceiving

Any enlargement of the thyroid gland is called a goiter. The thyroid gland can grow to some extent physiologically during pregnancy. The fact that the thyroid, an important gland that can affect an important mechanism of the body, does not work properly, negatively affects many organs. The first of these organs is the reproductive organs. Egg cells in women and sperm cells in men are affected by the malfunctioning of the thyroid. The toxic and essential feature of the thyroid is an obstacle to pregnancy. High thyroid or low thyroid before pregnancy increases the risk of either preterm birth or miscarriage, even if pregnancy is achieved.

Thyroid Diagnosis Can Be Made Before and During Pregnancy

Thyroid gland disorder, which is one of the disorders affecting pregnancy, can be diagnosed before pregnancy or can develop during pregnancy. Experts state the known symptoms of thyroid as follows.

Thyroid Hormone Symptoms Before Pregnancy

Symptoms of thyroid hormone disease showing the same features as pregnancy symptoms; It is defined as palpitations, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, vomiting. Since the symptoms are similar to those experienced during pregnancy, diagnosis and treatment may delay the process.

May Cause Pre-Pregnancy Thyroid in IVF Treatment

Positive thyroid antibodies affect the success of IVF treatment and constitute a risk factor.

The Link Between Infertility and Thyroid

Thyroid hormones interact with all hormones in the body, especially sex hormones. In order for the ovaries in women and the testicles in men to perform their normal functions, the level of thyroid hormones must be at a normal level. Their over- or under-working has negative effects on fertility in both men and women. Normal values ​​in the thyroid gland cause positive effects on both the health of the parents and the health of the baby. Thyroid levels that are less than normal can cause infertility problems, as well as increase problems such as premature birth and miscarriage even during pregnancy. It can also negatively affect the development of the baby in the womb. While thyroid hormones are 30% effective in male infertility, they can be effective in female infertility by 35%.

Effect of Thyroid Hormone on Pregnancy

The thyroid hormone working less or more than normal can become a problem that affects women's conception. Experts state that this alone may not be effective. In addition to this problem, if the woman has another infertility cause, it is stated that the thyroid is more effective and increases the effect of other infertility causes. It is stated that there are three different periods that can cause the activation of hypothyroidism in women. It is stated that the thyroid may be more active in the hormonal imbalance that will occur during these periods. These periods are;

• Transition period to young maiden
• Pregnancy period
• menopause period

Not a Direct Factor

It is stated that thyroid hormone is not a direct factor in pregnancy and supports the reasons that will prevent pregnancy. Treating the hormones that prevent pregnancy can eliminate the problem. For this reason, it is recommended that these people go to regular check-ups.

Hypothyroidism Increases Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

In women with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), menstrual periods can be long intervals or short-term. In some cases, depending on the ovulation disorder, menstrual irregularity may be experienced, or there may be no menstruation at all. It is stated that such menstrual irregularities experienced in women with hypothyroidism are 3 times more effective than expectant mothers with normal thyroid (goiter) functions. Hypothyroidism also increases the risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which prevents pregnancy, by forming cysts in the ovaries of women.

Hyperthyroidism Causes Both Inability to Conceive and Miscarriage

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), which is seen approximately 10 times more frequently in women than in men, can cause both inability to conceive and miscarriage even if pregnancy occurs in some expectant mothers. The overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland causes the secretion of more hormones into the bloodstream. This condition is called hyperthyroidism. If people lose weight in an unhealthy way, their chances of conceiving decrease. People with symptoms such as weakness, trembling in the hands, irritability, protruding eyes, rapid heartbeat, hair loss, hypersensitivity to heat, menstrual irregularity, thinning of the skin and non-menstrual should definitely be evaluated in terms of thyroid.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Alone Can Cause Infertility

It is stated that the symptoms of hypothyroidism alone or together can cause infertility problem. If the cause of infertility in the expectant mother is hyperthyroidism, it is stated that this problem will disappear with a treatment method that will bring the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level to the desired level. If the TSH level is reduced to the desired level, but the expectant mother still cannot conceive, it is recommended to go to an endocrinology specialist for reproductive disorders.

Effects of Thyroid Hormones on Female Fertility

Thyroid hormones constantly interact with the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone in order to protect the functioning of the ovaries in the body and to ensure the maturation of the egg. Overwork (hyperthyroidism) or underactivity (hypothyroidism) of the thyroid gland can disrupt the balance in reproductive hormones. Depending on this situation; Fertility problems such as ovulation disorders, irregular periods, inability to conceive or recurrent miscarriages can occur. Even though the menstrual periods of expectant mothers are regular, ovulation may not occur. Since thyroid problem is a common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, women who have problems getting pregnant are advised to have their family history of thyroid disease and thyroid gland checked in the first place.