Thyroid & Your Fertility
Thyroid conditions are the second most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Your thyroid gland sits at the front of your throat & the hormones that your thyroid gland produce impact on your metabolism, body temperature, reproductive system as well as on your fertility.
HOW DOES YOUR THYROID IMPACT ON YOUR FERTILITY
There are two types of thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism & hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is often referred to as having an underactive or sluggish thyroid because your thyroid is unable to secrete enough thyroid hormones. The main cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where immune system cells accidently attack your thyroid gland which reduces your thyroids ability to make hormones.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include
weight gain or difficulties losing weight
constipation
fatigue
depression & low mood
hair loss
dry, coarse skin
difficulties concentrating
muscle aches
Absent or irregular periods are reported in 25%-60% of women with hypothyroidism compared to only 10% of women with normal thyroid function so if you have irregular periods, getting your thyroid function checked by your doctor is important!
Hyperthyroidism is often referred to as having an overactive thyroid. When you have hyperthyroidism, your body produces too many thyroid hormones. Graves disease is an autoimmune condition that causes an overactive thyroid. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include
Anxiety
weight loss
hair loss
cravings & extreme hunger
Because thyroid conditions can impact on ovulation, miscarriage risk & the development of your baby, it’s important that you have your doctor check your thyroid hormone levels with a blood test. Depending on your hormone levels, you may require medication to help regulate your thyroid hormones.
Diet & lifestyle can also play a role in your thyroid health so let’s take a look at some key nutrients that are important for a healthy thyroid.
IODINE
Iodine is a nutrient that is essential for the production of thyroid hormones in the body. Your body isn’t able to store iodine, so it’s important that you include iodine rich foods regularly in your diet.
Most adults require ~150ug of iodine per day.
Key dietary sources of Iodine include:
Seafood & fish
Iodised bread (important: in Australia iodine fortification is not required in organic bread or bread mixes to make bread yourself at home)
Iodised salt
Seaweed
Eggs
Fruits & Vegetables (The iodine content of fruit & vegetables varies considerably depending on the soil the produce is grown in)
Iodine deficiency is a potential cause of hypothyroidism. Luckily in Australia, iodine deficiency is relatively rare however if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, have a diet high in processed foods or if you have hypothyroidism you are at an increased risk of not getting enough iodine in your diet.
It’s important not to start taking iodine supplements without speaking to your health professional first, as Iodine supplements can be an issue if you have Graves disease.
SELENIUM
Selenium functions as an antioxidant & is a nutrient that helps with the conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3.
There is some research that shows selenium supplementation in Graves disease can improve thyroid functioning. It’s important that you speak to your health professional before starting any supplements, especially Selenium as it can be toxic in high doses.
Selenium is also an important nutrient for fertility as it helps with the development & maturation of follicles.
Women should aim for 60micrograms of selenium every day
Foods rich in selenium include brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, chicken, lentils, legumes, eggs & pork.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D deficiency is common in people who have hypothyroidism with studies finding low Vitamin D levels in people with hypothyroidism & hyperthyroidism due to Graves disease. It’s still unclear if low Vitamin D is a cause of thyroid disease or a consequence of thyroid problems however it’s important that you have your Vitamin D levels monitored by your doctor if you suffer from a thyroid condition, especially if you’re trying to have a baby.
ZINC
Zinc plays an important role in the production of TSH and enzymes that make thyroid hormones. Zinc deficiency has also been linked with an increased risk of a goitre. Zinc supplementation has also been shown to improve hypothyroidism in women with obesity. Research is extremely limited when it comes to utilising Zinc supplementation for the treatment of hypothyroidism therefore it is essential that you speak with your health professional regarding personalised advice.
IRON
Iron is an essential nutrient for thyroid hormone production. Iron deficiency is associated with hypothyroidism and elevated TPO antibodies. There is a limited body of research that shows that treating iron deficiency improves hypothyroidism.
SOY
You may have read that soy should be avoided for thyroid problems however a review of 14 research studies found that soy protein and isoflavones which are found in foods such as tofu, soy milk & edamame had minimal to no effect on thyroid function. Soy foods didn’t appear impact on the thyroid function of healthy people who had adequate iodine levels.
GOITROGENS
Goitrogens are compounds that are found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale & brussel sprouts. Goitrogens can interfere with how the thyroid makes hormones however this only typically occurs if you have iodine deficiency.
Cruciferous vegetables are extremely nutritious & shouldn’t be limited. When eaten in regular portion sizes (around 1/2 - 1 cup per day) they shouldn’t pose any concerns. If you’re concerned about goitrogens, cooking your cruciferous vegetables instead of eating them raw diminishes their goitrogen effect.
In addition to utilising nutrition to support your thyroid health there are other specific changes that you can make to support more regular ovulation, improve egg quality & increase your chances of falling pregnant.
If you have a thyroid condition and are struggling to conceive, CLICK HERE to book a free 15 minute online clarity call where we can discuss your fertility journey & what your next best steps are to improve your chances of falling pregnant.
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