How is thyroid disease linked to infertility?
A decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) is often under-diagnosed. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism and affects women more than men. Symptoms may include excessive fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, mental slowing, and constipation. Women may also notice menstrual irregularities, such as menorrhagia (heavy periods) and/or amenorrhea (missed periods), as well as breast discharge (galactorrhea). Furthermore, lab tests will show increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased serum levels of thyroid hormone (T4). The increased TSH production by the pituitary adversely affects the pituitary’s production of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which normally regulates ovarian function. This disruption of FSH may interfere with ovulation as well as ovarian hormone production, thus leading to infertility and/or miscarriages. Hypothyroidism can be easily treated with oral thyroid supplementation such as Synthroid. Women taking thyroid supplementat
