Did you know that January is Thyroid Awareness Month? The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your throat. It secretes specific hormones all around our body that are very important for overall health and fertility. 

An underactive or overactive thyroid gland can have serious health implications in the body. Of most importance, it has a huge impact on your menstrual cycle,  your ability to become pregnant and more importantly stay pregnant.  It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will experience a thyroid disorder during their lifetime. 

How do you know if your thyroid is functioning properly?

Key symptoms of an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism include:

-fatigue

-unexplained weight gain

-constipation

-feeling cold

-brain fog

-hair loss

-heavy menstrual periods

-undiagnosed hypothyroidism can lead to recurrent early pregnancy loss

Key symptoms of an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism include:

-racing heartbeat

-diarrhea

-increase in appetite

-anxiety

-hyperthyroidism can also cause complications, most notably preterm birth, during pregnancy

Symptoms of a thyroid disorder can mimic many other diseases, including depression and anxiety.  This is why it is so important to rule out any underlying causes of your symptoms, before being prescribed medication that may not be appropriate.

How do I get Tested?

Medical doctors will run a blood test called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, to determine how well your thyroid is functioning. While TSH is standard, it is only part of the picture. There are other blood tests available that measure the active level of thyroid hormone (T3, T4) in your body, and look for antibodies (Anti-TPO) that attack and destroy your thyroid gland. 

In my clinical experience, only testing TSH is not enough, especially for anyone struggling with infertility. I’ve had patients whose medical doctor tells them their ‘thyroid is fine’ because of a normal TSH, but their symptoms tell otherwise. I prefer to run a comprehensive thyroid panel to get to the root cause of my patient’s concerns.

If you are concerned about your thyroid function or are experiencing infertility, let’s work together to ensure you receive a thorough diagnosis and comprehensive blood work.