Thyroid disease and fertility

Sub-fertility and hypothyroidism

It is the case that a woman suffering from hypothyroidism, the so-called ‘under-active thyroid’ may have difficulty conceiving.

Some women with hypothyroidism contact their doctor about difficulty conceiving and the condition is discovered in the process of investigating the sub-fertility.

How low thyroid hormone may cause infertility

Low thyroid hormone causes failure to ovulate. This may be through an interference with the normal hormonal environment in the body.

Problems caused by low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) during pregnancy

Unless the condition is fairly severe, an underactive thyroid does not normally have an adverse impact on pregnancy or its outcome. As mentioned before, a severely underactive thyroid will make it difficult for a woman to conceive. In investigating the causes of the apparent sub-fertility, this will be discovered and corrective measures taken.

A study by the Columbia University Medical Center in New York published in July 2008 showed that an under-active thyroid in pregnancy is not associated with a consistent pattern of adverse effects. In fact a borderline (sub-clinical) under-active thyroid was not associated with any adverse pregnancy events at all.

Having said all that, it is useful for a woman affected by this condition to be aware of the potential complications:

Ø There may be an increased tendency to miscarry. Ironically they may also have prolonged pregnancy, requiring intervention in the form of labour induction.

Ø There may be increased susceptibility to pregnancy complications such as anaemia, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, pre-eclampsia and postpartum haemorrhage.

Ø The baby may be of low birth weight and generally in this group of women, the loss of babies during the birth is slightly higher than average.

Treatment for a pregnant woman who has an under-active thyroid The treatment is simple, safe and effective. Thyroxin (also spelt ‘Thyroxine’)- which is the thyroid hormone - is administered orally daily, at a dose determined after a specific blood test. The tests will be repeated a number of times to ensure continued adequate replacement.

Taking thyroxine and breast-feeding

It is completely safe to breast-feed while taking thyroxin.

Recognizing hypothyroidism by the sufferer

Unfortunately, it is rather difficult for the sufferer to recognize the condition. This is because the symptoms are quite non-specific. For the majority, the condition is stumbled upon in the course of investigation other - seemingly unrelated - problems such as infertility, menstrual irregularities or weight problems.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism: Next Page

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