What is a thyroid gland and how is it connected to your fertility?

The thyroid gland is one of the seven endocrine glands and is located at the base of the throat (behind the Adam’s apple). Your thyroid gland is in charge of metabolism and energy production in the body. A bit like an electricity generator. In his first years of life and in the womb he was involved in the development of his brain and the differentiation of organs. Later in life he took control of his metabolism.

What are some of the bodily functions affected by the thyroid gland?

– Heartbeat

– Flow of blood to the hands and feet.

– Glucose production

– Production of cholesterol

– fat burning

– Heat production

– Activation and secretion of steroid hormones (estrogens, progesterone and testosterone, to name a few)

– Rate at which oxygen is used

– Cell proliferation

– Gut integrity

– Kidney function

– And many more

How do you regulate your metabolism?

It gives your cellular power generators, i.e. mitochondria, a boost to produce more energy or signals brown fat tissue to release heat or increases the activity of enzymes in charge of energy production.

thyroid hormones

Your thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones T3 and T4. T4 is a precursor to T3 and is 20 times more abundant than the most potent T3. To convert T3 to T4, your body needs a very important mineral: iodine.

Thyroid function and infertility

Approximately 25% of female infertility cases and 15% of menstrual cycle disorder cases are due to thyroid dysfunction. Especially subclinical hypothyroidism has a high prevalence in the population. Therefore, thyroid function should be examined in all women with infertility and/or menstrual disturbances and irregularities.

Did you know that the thyroid and the ovaries are related?

In addition to being endocrine glands, these two are known as sister organs! Immunologically they are like two sisters. Therefore, abnormal autoimmune function of the ovary is closely related to autoimmune function of the thyroid.

Thyroid hormones affect the action and secretion of steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). The ovaries have thyroid hormone receptors, where thyroid hormones interact and have a direct effect on ovarian hormone production.

In the case of thyroid hormone deficiency, your ovary will not be able to produce enough of the hormones needed for optimal fertility and a healthy pregnancy, leading to anovulation, a predisposition to PCOS, endometriosis, and miscarriage.

Thyroid function is linked to polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis

Studies have found that infertile women have a significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease compared to fertile women. This is especially the case in women with endometriosis and PCOS.

Another study found that 44% of infertile women with autoimmune thyroid disease had endometriosis, compared to just 9% of infertile women without autoimmune thyroid disease.

Women with autoimmune thyroid disease are at increased risk of miscarriage. That is why this is one of the tests that should be done as soon as possible.

Poor thyroid function can result in

– Abnormal neuronal and placental development resulting in malformations and spontaneous abortion.

– Deficiency of thyroid hormones during brain development in utero and the early postpartum period can cause brain damage leading to mental retardation, decreased intellectual capacity, psychomotor retardation and deafness.

22 Symptoms of hypothyroidism

– Weight gain

– Cold intolerance

– Hair loss

– Dry Skin

– Menstrual abnormalities

– Constipation

– Infertility

– Recurrent miscarriages

– Fibrocystic breasts

– bad focus

– Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

– Sleep apnea

– Autism

– ADHD

– Dysmenorrhea – painful periods

– Menorrhagia – heavy periods

– Depression

– Psychosis

– deafness

– facial swelling

– Loss of libido

– goiter

Pregnancy and Your Thyroid Function

Already from the fifth week of pregnancy there is an increased demand for thyroid hormone. But the problem and catch 22 is that during pregnancy there is also increased blood flow through the kidneys where iodine is filtered from the blood and lost in the urine.

Studies have shown that even a very brief 3-day thyroid hormone deficiency during pregnancy can cause permanent autism-like brain changes in the baby. One in 20 newborns have potential brain abnormalities as a result of insufficient thyroid hormone during pregnancy.

ART treatments for infertility can cause temporary hypothyroidism

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is used to harvest the eggs for IVF or some other form of ART (assisted reproductive technology). This puts enormous pressure on the thyroid gland to produce large amounts of thyroid hormones. If adequate nutrients for optimal thyroid function are not present during and after IVF, the risk of miscarriages and malformations increases.

Maternity sadness

Postpartum (after birth) thyroiditis is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting millions of women worldwide. And it seems to affect women in the first year after childbirth. Hypothyroidism is also associated with postpartum depression or the blues of motherhood. This is not surprising given the burden pregnancy places on thyroid hormones.

To do?

1. Don’t drink unfiltered tap water: Fluoride in tap water interferes with healthy thyroid function. Poor thyroid function is linked to hypothyroidism, and subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to infertility. To see what I personally use and recommend, go to my site listed below.

2. Take a regular iodine supplement. Iodine is an essential mineral for healthy thyroid function and for the development of nerve tissue and the brain in the fetus. Deficiency in pregnancy can lead to delay. Women wishing to conceive, as well as pregnant and lactating women, should receive 200 micrograms of iodine daily. You can get iodine from marine fish, algae, kelp, and eggs.

3. Another cheaper option that also works is an iodine disinfectant solution applied topically to the skin. You can buy it at any pharmacy or pharmacy. It is a reddish-brown disinfectant liquid in a spray or dispenser bottle. All you need is a few drops on the inside of your wrist. Allow the liquid to be absorbed into the skin and do not wash it off until the remaining yellow stain is dry.

4. Eliminate Brassica family vegetables from your diet. They include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. These vegetables contain chemicals called goitrogens. Goitrogens interfere with the production and use of thyroxine (a hormone produced by the thyroid gland) in the body. Steaming and cooking can partially deactivate goitrogens, but it’s best to avoid these vegetables for now.

5. Start exercising in the morning as this will increase your metabolic rate and keep it at a high level for the rest of the day. The same applies for breakfast. Skipping breakfast in the morning will set your metabolic rate at a lower level, making you feel tired and lethargic, and most of the food you eat that day will be turned into fat as the body thinks you are dead. hungry. Fashion.

6. Take a good quality multivitamin supplement that contains zinc and selenium, as they are important nutrients for healthy thyroid function.

7. Have your doctor check your thyroid hormone levels and thyroid function. Your test results may be normal (within normal ranges), but you may still have hypothyroidism. Studies have shown that subclinical hypothyroidism often goes unrecognized. So insist on getting your TSH, T3 and T4 tested, to see how much of T4 you are converting to T3. So if your results are in the low ranges of normal and you’re showing symptoms of hypothyroidism, be sure to take steps to improve your thyroid function.

8. Do yoga. Viparita Karani – is a yogic posture that improves pelvic circulation and the functioning of the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid glands. What you need: A yoga mat and a folded blanket or other folded yoga mat. How to do the pose? Lay your blanket (the second folded yoga mat) on top of the yoga mat. Lie on the mat with your arms on the floor along your torso, then bend your knees and place your feet on the mat with your heels close to your sit bones. Exhale, press your arms into the mat, and push your feet off the mat, drawing your thighs in toward your torso. Bend your elbows and pull them towards each other. Place the back of your upper arms on the mat and spread your palms against the back of your torso. Raise your pelvis and, keeping your elbows at shoulder height, support your hips with your hands. Inhale and lift your bent knees toward the ceiling, straighten your knees, and press your heels toward the ceiling. Stay in the pose for about 30 seconds, gradually adding 5 to 10 seconds each day until you can comfortably hold the pose for 5 minutes. Exhale, bend your knees in toward your torso and slowly roll your back onto the mat keeping the back of your head on the floor. Contraindications: DO NOT do this pose if you are menstruating or have glaucoma.