Thyroid and fertility (part 2)

Okay, so now that we know your thyroid is essential to your cycle, trying to conceive, and sustaining a healthy pregnancy, (if you missed part 1 of this thyroid series, click here to go read it!) let’s chat about what it looks like when your thyroid isn’t functioning at its best.

Symptoms that suggest your thyroid may need some support

The following symptoms can clue you in that your thyroid needs some lovin’. They include:

- unexplained weight loss

- unexplained weight gain

- irregular cycles

- infertility

- pregnancy loss

- heavy periods

- low BBT (below 97.5)

- brain fog

- hair loss

- dry skin

- brittle nails

- cold extremities

- lack of quality sleep

- sleep interruptions

- anxiety

If you’re reading this list and checked off three or more of these symptoms, it may be time to get your thyroid levels checked. The best way to do that is via bloodwork.

What labs to ask for to check thyroid levels?

The most popular test for checking thyroid is TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone. That’s the hormone that helps your brain communicate with your thyroid (telling it to make more or less thyroid hormone). But that’s only one aspect of thyroid health. And the range conventional doctors use to determine “normal function” is wider than it should be – meaning your thyroid could be sluggish but deemed “normal”. 

You want to ask for a full thyroid panel, which will include: TSH, total and free T4 (a major thyroid hormone), total and free T3 (the active form of thyroid hormone), thyroid antibodies (TPO and anti-Tg), and reverse T3 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone). This will give you a much more robust picture of how your thyroid is functioning.

What are some (maybe unintentional) things that could be sabotaging your thyroid?

- undereating

- overexercising

- skipping sleep

- skipping breakfast

- skipping carbs

What are some foundational ways to support your thyroid?

Some of the best ways to support your thyroid help to prevent unnecessary stress to the body and provide the thyroid with everything it needs (i.e. minerals!) to produce adequate thyroid hormone. They include:

- eat breakfast

- drink caffeine with breakfast

- adequate mineral intake

- don’t skip eating carbohydrates

What if you’ve had labs done and everything came back “normal” but you still have symptoms?

Conventionally speaking, thyroid levels may be deemed “normal” based on the current ranges provided. I like to see client’s thyroid functioning optimally, so the ranges I use are more conservative (i.e. smaller, more ideal numbers). So, you can have “normal” thyroid hormones on a conventional level but they may not on an optimal level.

Also, lab results are not end all be all. If you have normal labs but you’re still having symptoms, how you feel still matters (aka it’s not all in your head!) You can have normal thyroid function but since practically the entire body uses thyroid hormone, your cells may be struggling to effectively use that thyroid hormone. That comes down to your body’s stress response – emotionally, physically, mentally, illness, trauma, you name it, etc.

Okay, so that’s me. What should I do next?

You’ll want to find the root cause of your stress (again could be coming from a number of different reasons) and then figuring out how to alleviate that stress. Figuring that out is so individual. I would recommend working with a practitioner who is familiar and comfortable with thyroid issues and who also focuses on a whole body approach. Diet and lifestyle are huge players here so it requires a deep dive into food habits and routines and stress analysis and ultimately stress management techniques.

Thyroid issues can be tricky. If you suspect your thyroid may be interrupting your ability to get pregnant or even preventing you from feeling your best after having babies, apply to work with me here.

Your preconception checklist for getting pregnant in 2023

Track your cycle and know how to identify your fertile window

Knowing your cycle (period length, flow, consistency, color, cervical mucus, BBT, etc.) is vital to learning your fertile window so you’re able to time sex appropriately when you’re ready to start actively trying. Knowing your cycle can clue you into there being an issue if it’s irregular or changes occur outside of your norm. It’s arguably the most important step to take while TTC.

Take a high quality prenatal

Prenatal vitamins are an important piece of preconception nutrition in that they can fill some nutrient gaps and add to your nutrient stores prior to getting pregnant. Look for a prenatal that has adequate levels nutrients in forms that are absorbable. If you’d like help in choosing, download the list of my favorite prenatals here.

Eat a variety of proteins (poultry, beef, dairy, plant-based, and seafood)

Protein is literally the building block of our bodies and we need to be consuming enough to not only support our cycle but support the demands of pregnancy. Getting in the habit of eating adequate amounts of protein from a variety of sources can help carry that habit throughout pregnancy where protein needs increase dramatically.

Consume seafood at least 2x per week

Seafood is not only a great source of protein but contains many other important nutrients such as the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, iodine, iron, and zinc (to name a few). All of these nutrients help support the functioning of your thyroid and the growth and development of a fetus.

Eat the rainbow daily (lots of colorful fruits and vegetables)

Eating the rainbow invites variety, which helps fuel a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. Your gut is vital in many things but when it comes to your cycle, you gut helps you properly metabolize hormones. (When the hormones are done with sending their message, they need to be metabolized and excreted.) Eating the rainbow also ensures you consuming a variety of antioxidants – important for minimizing oxidative damage, protecting and improving egg quality, and promoting healthy brain and neural development in a growing baby.

Get vitamin D checked

We are uncovering more and more about vitamin D’s role in fertility and pregnancy. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most common nutrient deficiencies around. Sunlight is the best source of activating vitamin D but that entirely depends on where you live, what season it is, the weather that day, sunscreen use, etc. It’s always good to get vitamin D checked to see where your levels are and make appropriate changes to make sure you’re sufficient.

Visit your dentist/hygienist

There is a direct connection between oral health and fertility (in both male and females). Make it a habit to regularly visit your dentist, have your teeth cleaned, and get ahead of any potential issues such as developing gum disease.

Improve sleep quality

Sleep is vital to cycle health and maintaining a healthy HPA/HPO axis. You want to aim for a minimum of 7 hours of sleep, going to bed at a consistent hour, and going to bed well before 11 AM to maximize your body’s chances of entering long stretches of deep sleep (the most rejuvenating phase of sleep).

Implement active stress management

Stress is not something we just simply “have to deal with”. In fact, elevated, consistent levels of cortisol (your stress hormone) can interrupt your brain’s ability to communicate with your ovaries causing cycle interruptions and potentially cause anovulatory cycles (or cycles where you don’t ovulate). If there’s no egg released to fertilize, pregnancy can’t happen. Implement a routine that brings you back down to Earth. Incorporate hobbies that you love, spend time in nature, move your body in a way you enjoy, read a book, take a bubble bath - whatever it is that helps you feel calm and restored.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek additional information

The “rule” that you need to wait 1 year of having unprotected sex (or 6 months if you’re over the age of 35) before reaching out for help with your fertility is bullshit. If you suspect something is wrong and you want to investigate, you have the right to do so. You’re not being overly cautious or dramatic. You’re being proactive. I’ve had plenty of clients who came to me with seemingly normal cycles but when we got to digging, we uncovered things that needed significant improvement before the body was ready to support a pregnancy. (Read about recommended tests here.) Don’t be on anyone else’s timeline except your own. You have a right to seek help when YOU want to.

If you’re looking for ways to optimize your fertility or answers to improve your chances of getting pregnancy, I’m accepting one-on-one clients and would love to be your guide. Apply to work with me here.