How Thyroid Problems Can Affect Your Fertility Journey

Your Thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, which secretes different metabolic hormones in both men and women. More often than not, a discrepancy in the levels of the Thyroid hormones produced can lead to different disorders, which, in turn, can negatively impact fertility in both men and women and result in miscarriages or premature birth. Here, we will discuss how Thyroid problems can affect your fertility journey. 

Here’s an overlook of how the Thyroid affectS fertility in both men and women:

In women  

Low levels of the Thyroid hormone in women can make it quite difficult for the ovaries to release eggs, which, in turn, can have a negative impact on fertility. Moreover, Thyroid hormones also regulate the functionality of the ovaries, the uterus, and the placenta. An inactive Thyroid might lead to heavy or irregular menstrual cycles, which can make it harder to get pregnant. Women suffering from an inactive Thyroid may also have a greater risk of miscarriage. 

In men 

Hyperthyroidism can definitely impact the various sexual functions in men, thereby resulting in decreased libido, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction. Men with Hypothyroidism might experience decreased sperm count and poor-quality sperm. 

In general, whenever an overactive or inactive Thyroid is treated, it is indeed possible to have a healthy pregnancy and a baby. Treatment can evidently restore a normal menstrual pattern and enhance fertility in women suffering from Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism. 

How can Thyroid disorders lead to a negative impact on fertility?

Both male and female fertility seek to depend on different major hormones, with the thyroid hormones being an important part of them. These specific hormones are always produced in order to assist in the development and functioning of various systems in the body, including the reproductive system. Being a major portion of the endocrine system, the Thyroid gland releases hormones via the bloodstream in order to regulate metabolism, and without the constant release of the hormones, levels can seek to fluctuate, which can affect the various systems of the body. 

Owing to the fact that the thyroid gland produces hormones that the body is dependent on, both the high and the low levels of this hormone can cause various disorders. The most common thyroid-related disorders are Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroiditis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In most cases, Thyroid and Infertility go hand-in-hand, as Infertility can be directly linked to either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. 

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is usually diagnosed when a person has excessive levels of the thyroid hormone being secreted from his/her thyroid gland. Also referred to as an overactive thyroid, this condition has the following symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Excessive heart palpitations
• Excessive perspiration
• Anxiety
• Heat sensitivity 
• Insomnia 
• Neck tenderness
• Shaking or tremors

Its treatment involves prescribed medications to regulate the hormones by inhibiting the secretion of thyroxine and triodothyronine. 

What is Hypothyroidism?

Simply the opposite of Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid hormone is secreted at much lower levels than normal by the thyroid gland. Also referred to as an underactive thyroid, Hypothyroidism symptoms may include:

• Dry skin or itchy skin
• Weight gain
• Constipation 
• Fatigue
• Low libido 
• Irregular menstrual periods 
• Sensitivity to cold
• Depression 
• Hoarse voice
• Recurrent miscarriages
• Infertility problems

In order to treat Hypothyroidism properly, physicians typically prescribe Thyroid replacement therapy with medication so as to increase the levels of thyroid hormone secretion.

How can Thyroid disorders affect fertility?

Fertility is largely dependent on various factors, including the levels of thyroid hormone secretion by the thyroid gland. Both its low and high levels can affect not only the female reproductive system but also male fertility, as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are directly linked to sperm production. 

Hyperthyroidism and fertility

When it comes to the Thyroid effect on fertility, let’s first take a look at Hyperthyroidism. Although research is still going on to find out the exact reason behind Hyperthyroidism having an adverse effect on fertility, the main focus is on the excessive hormonal levels and the ovaries in women. 

Overactive levels can lead to issues in the regulation of the health of the uterine, placental, and ovarian tissues. 

The symptoms of Thyroid excess, or Hyperthyroidism in men, include impairing the volume of semen as well as the density of the sperm. The size, motility, and shape of the male sperm cells are highly dependent on the regulation of the Thyroid hormone levels. 

Hypothyroidism and fertility  ( h2 tag)

When it comes to Thyroid problems in women, Hypothyroidism can directly affect female fertility by interrupting their regular menstrual cycle, which, in turn, can result in conception problems. During ovulation, the egg doesn’t get properly released from the ovaries owing to low levels of thyroid hormones. 

Hypothyroidism can also lead to male infertility as it is directly linked to irregular sperm morphology, low sexual desire and libido, and erectile dysfunction. For successful implantation of the sperm into the egg, the movement of the male sperm is just as important as its structure, which gets negatively impacted during Hypothyroidism. 

Diagnosis of Thyroid disorders during infertility treatment  ( h2 tag)

Owing to the direct correlation between Thyroid hormone effects and infertility in both men and women, it is of paramount importance to opt for an early diagnosis. During infertility treatments, blood work is conducted to test the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone blood work.

TSH levels are extremely important when diagnosing thyroid disorders. If the TSH level is too high, it may indicate that the patient is suffering from an underactive thyroid or Hypothyroidism. If it is too low, it may indicate that the patient is suffering from an overactive thyroid or Hyperthyroidism. Generally, the normal range for TSH is 0.5 to 4.2. However, your fertility specialist is going to evaluate these ranges depending on your existing symptoms. When the TSH blood tests come out with abnormal results, this test might be followed up by a full Thyroid panel, which seeks to evaluate the levels of both T3 and T4, as well as checks for Thyroid antibodies.

The proper treatment might seem to reduce the risk of miscarriage, infertility, and both physical and mental issues at birth. 

What is the treatment for different Thyroid disorders?

Hypothyroidism is typically treated with Thyroid replacement therapy, which is achieved with medications that supply and regulate the Thyroid hormone secretion that the body is currently unable to produce in the appropriate amount. 

Hyperthyroidism is also treated with medications. However, these medications are usually used to minimise the production of the thyroid hormone, which is currently being produced in excess amounts. The medications can also inhibit the secretions of both T3 and T4. In addition to these, physicians are required to locate the source of the enhanced Thyroid hormone production so that they can effectively destroy it via the usage of radioactive iodine. 

When it comes to treating Thyroid disorders to achieve a healthy conception, we at Plan B Fertility centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, are prepared to help you in this journey. We  understand that the causes and consequences of infertility can take a toll on couples who plan on building a family. When every other alternative fails, we, one of the best fertility centres in Hyderabad located at Kondapur, are your Plan B, helping you along the way from A to Z with personalised treatment plans for all your fertility treatment needs. 

Plan B fertility centre offers a comprehensive range of fertility solutions, all under one roof, with a trustworthy and supportive patient-centric environment catering to every soon-to-be parent. At our fertility centre in Hyderabad, which specialises in advanced and state-of-the-art treatments such as IVF and IUI we also treat thyroid-related disorders that can hamper your pregnancy chances , and make sure it is corrected before pregnancy. 

Conclusion

In the event of you trying to get pregnant, or even planning for it in the first place, you need to let your doctor know and have a blood test before conceiving. This will point out if you or your partner have any thyroid-related disorders that can negatively impact your conception. Taking appropriate medicines to treat thyroid issues can effectively enhance your chances of getting pregnant.