subject: Trying To Get Pregnant? Thyroid and Infertility [print this page] Trying To Get Pregnant? Thyroid and Infertility
At the beginning of last century, around 1920, doctors had access to medication that corrected the deficiency of the thyroid gland: it was the extract of thyroid glands obtained, in general, animals such as cattle and pigs. At that time, it was known by empirical knowledge, not based on sound science which confirms that many women having trouble conceiving and even to sustain a pregnancy beyond the third or fourth month, benefited from the use of thyroid extract (also known as desiccated thyroid). It was then announced that the thyroid would have a beneficial effect for both raising the possibility of those trying to get pregnant as to ensure the smooth maintenance of pregnancy until delivery.
Over the years, new discoveries such as synthesis of the two thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodo-Tyrosine (T3), have provided great advances in knowledge. Tests to detect deficiency of thyroid (hyperthyroidism) have also become more secure and easy to perform. With the development of several parallel areas, it was noted that considerable portion of women trying to get pregnant and having trouble conceiving also have partial deficiency of thyroid functions.
A growing problem
Female infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant without success after 12 months of normal married life (ie, sexual activity with partner with large numbers of sperm). This definition has been launched after a study of 5,574 women with normal sexual life conditions. According to the study, 50% were pregnant at 3 months with no trouble conceiving, 72% in 6 months and 80-90% in 12 months. Therefore, absolute infertility (lack of sperm from the partner, premature menopause, blocked fallopian tubes) or sub-fertility amount to about 10% of women.
Other female factors are also important as endometriosis, failure of ovulation, fallopian tubes problems and others. One must bear in mind, however, that many women now start trying to get pregnant after the age of 30 because of career. This can also lead to trouble conceiving.
Thyroid diseases that lead to hypothyroidism are also shown after the ages 30 to 40. This is because these diseases have a genetic background and the genes are manifested, usually after three or four decades. It is in this phase of life that the thyroid usually fails.
Lack of thyroid function
Let's start with basics. The menstrual cycle and ovulation are properly influenced by the concentration of thyroid hormones. Treatment with L-Thyroxine often improves ovulation rates - indeed essential for conception to take place. In women having trouble conceiving the occurrence of chronic thyroiditis, ie, chronic inflammation of the thyroid, is much greater than in women who conceived normally. Proper thyroid function is important for women trying to get pregnant because it facilitates embryo implantation in the three first months of pregnancy.
The appropriate level of thyroid hormone is considered essential for the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Women trying to get pregnant with hypothyroidism have more chance of losing the baby at a ratio of 3 to 1, compared to women with normal thyroid function.
Throughout pregnancy the thyroid hormones are essential for maintenance of pregnancy and the transfer of part of the thyroid hormone from the maternal side to the foetus through the placenta. Especially in the last trimester of pregnancy that transfer is essential for proper brain development of children. In case of hypothyroidism in the last 10 or 12 weeks of pregnancy, the child will have access to less thyroid hormone, which may lead to further neurological difficulties.
The thyroid during pregnancy
Thyroid disease, chronic thyroiditis type, affect about one in six women around the ages of 30 and 40. Women diagnosed with clinical infertility seeking assisted reproduction should do tests to assess thyroid function. In the case of proving disability gland, a treatment will be prescribed, which should be followed throughout the pregnancy, giving the child the maternal thyroid hormone that is badly needed. Possible neurological damage will be avoided if this therapeutic approach is followed.
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
