Can I Get Pregnant With An Underactive Thyroid?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I get pregnant with an underactive thyroid? An undiagnosed thyroid condition can make it difficult to conceive. It can also cause problems during pregnancy itself. Once the over- or underactive thyroid is under control, however, there is no reason why you should not have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby .

Is it harder to get pregnant with thyroid problems?

Absolutely — but hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) and (an underactive thyroid gland) can have a negative effect on fertility and make conception more challenging . That's because both conditions have been linked to irregular menstrual cycles.

What should my thyroid levels be to get pregnant?

Purpose. The ideal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) range for infertile women attempting conception has not been determined. Current recommendations include optimizing the preconception TSH value to ≤2.5 mIU/L , which is the established goal for pregnant women.

How long after starting levothyroxine can I get pregnant?

Hypothyroidism and Fertility

When hypothyroidism is the reason for infertility, taking thyroid medication will enable most women to conceive, from as soon as six weeks after treatment , according to a study published in February 2015 in the IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences.

Can an underactive thyroid cause infertility?

Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with the release of an egg from your ovary (ovulation), which impairs fertility . In addition, some of the underlying causes of hypothyroidism — such as certain autoimmune or pituitary disorders — may impair fertility.

Can an underactive thyroid cause miscarriage?

Pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism or thyroid antibodies have an increased risk of complications, especially pre-eclampsia, perinatal mortality, and miscarriage .

Can thyroid cause miscarriage?

Untreated thyroid conditions during pregnancy are linked to serious problems, including premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth . If your thyroid condition is treated during pregnancy, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Does hypothyroidism make you high risk pregnancy?

Untreated, or inadequately treated, hypothyroidism has increased risk of miscarriage , and has been associated with maternal anemia, myopathy (muscle pain, weakness), congestive heart failure, pre-eclampsia, placental abnormalities, and postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding).

How much does levothyroxine increase pregnancy?

Levothyroxine requirements increase as early as the fifth week of gestation. Given the importance of maternal euthyroidism for normal fetal cognitive development, we propose that women with hypothyroidism increase their levothyroxine dose by approximately 30 percent as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.

Does thyroid affect egg quality?

Having low levels of thyroxine, or T4, or elevated thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) leads to high prolactin levels. This can cause either no egg to release during ovulation or an irregular egg release and difficulty conceiving. Hypothyroidism can also cause a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle.

Does thyroid affect periods?

Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular . Thyroid disease also can cause your periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. If your body's immune system causes thyroid disease, other glands, including your ovaries, may be involved.

Can low thyroid cause birth defects?

Deprivation of the maternal thyroid hormone due to hypothyroidism can have irreversible effects on the fetus . Early studies found that children born to mothers with hypothyroidism during pregnancy had lower IQ and impaired psychomotor (mental and motor) development.

Is levothyroxine OK to take while pregnant?

Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. It's a synthetic form of thyroid hormone that poses no danger to your developing baby .

Can levothyroxine cause miscarriage?

Women who did not have any adjustment in Levothyroxine dose had a higher level of TSH in their last pregnancy blood test; 36% of women in this group had lost their pregnancy due to miscarriage . The rate of pregnancy loss was 2.4% in women who took a higher dose of thyroid hormone after pregnancy.

Does levothyroxine cause infertility?

Women with infertility and Hashimoto's thyroiditis who received levothyroxine supplementation for 3 months experienced an increase in anti-Müllerian hormone levels, a finding not observed in women with subclinical or overt hypothyroidism and infertility, according to findings reported in The Journal of Obstetrics and ...

Can I get pregnant with hypothyroidism and irregular periods?

Can I get pregnant with hypothyroidism and irregular periods? Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are known to prevent ovulation, the monthly process in which an egg is released to be fertilized. If no egg is released, you can't get pregnant, even if you're having regular menstrual periods .

At what age do thyroid problems start?

An overactive thyroid can affect anyone, but it's about 10 times more common in women than men, and typically happens between 20 and 40 years of age .

What are early warning signs of thyroid problems in females?

  • Fatigue.
  • Increased sensitivity to cold.
  • Constipation.
  • Dry skin.
  • Weight gain.
  • Puffy face.
  • Hoarseness.
  • Muscle weakness.

Can hypothyroidism cause autism in pregnancy?

Both subclinical hypothyroidism and overt hyperthyroidism in mothers in pregnancy were associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in children .

How can I cure my thyroid forever?

  1. Remove all potential food allergens from your diet. ...
  2. Supplements like iodine, probiotics, and curcumin can do wonders for your thyroid.
  3. Reduce daily stress.
  4. Get enough sleep.

Can hypothyroidism go away?

For those with particularly low levels of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism is a life-long condition that will need to be controlled with medication on a regular schedule. It can be controlled very well and you can live a normal life with hypothyroidism .

Does thyroid affect egg quality?

Having low levels of thyroxine, or T4, or elevated thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) leads to high prolactin levels. This can cause either no egg to release during ovulation or an irregular egg release and difficulty conceiving. Hypothyroidism can also cause a shortened second half of the menstrual cycle.

Does thyroid affect menstruation?

Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular . Thyroid disease also can cause your periods to stop for several months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. If your body's immune system causes thyroid disease, other glands, including your ovaries, may be involved.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.