The Role of Thyroid Hormones in Fertility

Why They Matter and How Acupuncture Can Balance your Levels

Hey there!

Let’s chat about thyroid hormones and why they're such big players when it comes to fertility. You might have heard that your thyroid gland has a lot to do with your metabolism, but did you know it also plays a crucial role in your reproductive health? Let’s break it down and see how these hormones impact your fertility.

What Are Thyroid Hormones?

Your thyroid gland, located in your neck, produces hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. But they also influence various bodily functions, including your reproductive system.

🌹 How Thyroid Hormones Affect Fertility 🌹

1. Regulation of Menstrual Cycle

   • Your thyroid hormones help regulate your menstrual cycle. If your thyroid isn't producing enough hormones (a condition known as hypothyroidism), you might experience irregular or heavy periods. On the flip side, too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) can lead to light or absent periods. Both conditions can make it harder to predict ovulation and conceive.

2. Ovulation

   • For ovulation to occur regularly, your body needs a balance of hormones, including those from your thyroid. Thyroid imbalances can disrupt the delicate interplay of reproductive hormones like LH and FSH, affecting the release of eggs from your ovaries.

3. Maintaining Pregnancy

   • Thyroid hormones are crucial for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Hypothyroidism, in particular, can increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and developmental issues in the baby. Proper thyroid function helps ensure that your body supports the pregnancy from start to finish.

4. Metabolic Impact

   • Your thyroid hormones influence your metabolism, which affects your overall health and energy levels. When your metabolism is off, it can impact your weight, energy, and stress levels—all of which play a role in fertility.

Signs of Thyroid Imbalance

• Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Cold intolerance

  • Dry skin and hair

  • Hair loss

  • Muscle weakness

  • Depression

  • Constipation

  • Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

  • Slowed heart rate

  Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:

  • Weight loss

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

  • Heat intolerance

  • Increased appetite

  • Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability

  • Tremors (shaking hands or fingers)

  • Sweating

  • Frequent bowel movements

  • Menstrual irregularities (light or absent periods)

  • Fatigue or muscle weakness

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting your thyroid levels checked.

I highly recommend requesting a full panel, which includes:

TSH, T4, T3, and TPO.

Keep in mind that relying solely on TSH levels may not give a complete picture of your thyroid function. It’s best to explore the full panel. Also, be cautious when interpreting laboratory ranges for normal values. Many functional medicine doctors agree that standard lab ranges are often too broad. Ideally, your TSH levels should be between 1 and 2.5 for optimal thyroid health, especially when trying to conceive.

🌻 Practical Tips to Support Thyroid Health 🌻

1. Dietary Choices

   • Ensure you’re getting enough iodine, which is essential for thyroid function. Iodine-rich foods include seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt. Don’t forget selenium, found in Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and fish, which helps convert T4 into the more active T3.

2. Manage Stress

   • Chronic stress can interfere with thyroid function. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your routine, like yoga, meditation, or even just a daily walk.

3. Regular Exercise

   • Moderate exercise can help regulate your thyroid hormones and improve overall health. Avoid extreme exercise routines, as they can sometimes do more harm than good.

4. Sleep Well

   • Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene supports hormone regulation, including those produced by your thyroid.

5. Avoid Environmental Toxins

   • Certain chemicals can disrupt thyroid function. Try to limit exposure to endocrine disruptors found in some plastics, pesticides, and personal care products. Opt for natural and organic products when possible.

🌸 What are “endocrine disruptors”? 🌸

• Natural or human-made chemicals that interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system and in turn the body’s hormones

• Research are concerned with conditions related to:

  • Reproductive and other hormonal disorders

  • Cancers

  • Thyroid disorders

  • Obesity and metabolism

  • Neurodevelopment

Here’s a list of endocrine disruptors that you should definitely examine and eliminate from your products and daily habits:

• Bisphenol A (BPA): plastics & resins found in plastic bottles & food storage containers

• Dioxins: manufacturing waste products found in air from waste burning and wildfires (used to make herbicides, paper bleaching)

• PFA: large group of chemicals used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foam, nonstick pans, paper, and textile coatings

• Phtalates: are used to make plastics more flexible; they are found in some food packaging, cosmetics, fragrances, children’s toys, and medical devices

• Phytoestrogenes: are naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone-life activity, such as genistein and daidzein in soy products like tofu and soy milk

• PBDE are used to make flame retardants for products such as furniture foam and carpet

• PCBs are used to make electrical equipment, such as transformers, and are in hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, lubricants, and plasticizers

Ways to replace and avoid endocrine disruptors

• Swap plastics for glass, NEVER HEAT PLASTIC OR LEAVE IN CAR

• Stop using commercial pesticides at home or in your garden

• Replace cosmetics and body care products with clean alternatives

• Use whole house water filtration if possible

• Use a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water, or a good charcoal filter

• Eat fresh foods that are free of additives and preservatives: eat organic

• Stop buying pre-packaged foods, never heat takeout containers

TOP 10 CHEMICALS TO AVOID IN COSMETICS

1. PARABENS: preservative, found in breast tumors

2. ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE / PARFUM: no reporting requirements

3. SODIUM LAURYL / LAURETH SULFATE: foaming agents

4. TOLUENE: hair dye / nail polish

5. PHTHALATES: plastics, nail polish

6. POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG): thickener

7. FORMALDEHYDE: preservative

8. OXYBENZONE: sunscreens / cosmetics (use mineral-based instead)

9. DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA): foaming agent

10.TRICLOSAN: antibacterial, endocrine d/r, contributes to antibiotic resistance, carcinogenic

🌿 How Acupuncture Can Restore Thyroid Balance: A Holistic Approach 🌿

Let’s talk about how acupuncture can help restore thyroid balance. So, as you understand now, our thyroid gland is super important for regulating metabolism and plays a huge role in fertility but sometimes it can get out of whack. That’s where acupuncture comes in. Here’s how it works:

• Stress Reduction

  • Acupuncture helps reduce stress, which is a big factor in thyroid issues. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, which can interfere with thyroid function. Acupuncture promotes relaxation, helping your thyroid work better.

• Improved Blood Circulation

  • By enhancing blood circulation, acupuncture ensures that more oxygen and nutrients reach your thyroid gland. This improved circulation supports better thyroid function and overall health.

• Reduced Inflammation

  • Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help mitigate the inflammation often associated with thyroid problems. This is particularly beneficial for autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease.

• Balancing Energy Flow (Qi)

  • Acupuncture balances the body’s energy, or Qi. Specific acupuncture points act as highways for energy flow, ensuring that your body’s systems, including the thyroid, function harmoniously.

• Holistic Healing

  • This ancient practice doesn’t just address symptoms but aims to treat the root causes of thyroid imbalance. Whether it’s chronic stress, inflammation, or other underlying issues, acupuncture takes a holistic approach to healing.

• Natural and Non-Invasive

  • Acupuncture is a natural, non-invasive treatment option. It supports your body’s natural healing processes without the side effects often associated with medications.

A Success Story: How Acupuncture and Herbs Balanced Thyroid Levels for Fertility

Let me tell you about my last client who came in for fertility issues. Together, we discovered she had hypothyroidism, even though her doctor had assured her she didn’t because her TSH level was 3.7, which is within the laboratory's normal range but not by my standards. She saw an endocrinologist who agreed that she would need hormone treatment because if she became pregnant, the level of 3.7 would already be out of range as the reference range is different for pregnant individuals. By the time they finally accepted to put her on treatment, a month had already passed. During that month, we worked on her thyroid health with acupuncture and herbs. Surprise! Before starting the hormone treatment, a last blood draw showed her TSH had dropped to 2.5, just with acupuncture and herbs! This is one of many stories I could share about the power of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We rarely need to rely solely on Western medicine. TCM treats most conditions beautifully and serves as an excellent preventive measure. We turn to Western medicine only when necessary and when we reach the limits of acupuncture's healing potential.

🌹 Working together to improve your fertility naturally! 🌹

So, if you’re dealing with thyroid problems, acupuncture might be worth a try. It’s a holistic way to support your thyroid health and overall well-being. Plus, it’s a great excuse to take some time out for yourself and relax

Your thyroid hormones are more important to your fertility than you might think. By understanding their role and taking steps to support thyroid health, you can enhance your reproductive health and boost your chances of conceiving naturally.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Have questions or tips on supporting thyroid health? Feel free to reach out, I will be happy to be your guide for this beautiful journey!

Book an appointment with me today here and let's pave the way to your fertility journey together.