Thyroid dysfunction – Think Fertility USA

Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause of infertility.

Thyroid dysfunctions are relatively common among women of reproductive age and can affect fertility in various ways:

Interference with the ovulation and disruption of the menstrual cycle.
Difficult embryo implantation and hard to conceive.
Increased risk of miscarriage.
Increased risk of premature birth.

I was told to have high TSH, what does it mean?

TSH is produced by pituitary in your brain. High TSH often suggests that your thyroid gland is not making adequate thyroid hormone, and the pituitary gland has responded by making more TSH to try to get your thyroid gland to work more and produce more thyroid hormones.

What should I do if my TSH level is abnormally high?

TSH level can be impacted by other hormones in your body. High estrogen levels or hCG trigger medication during IVF treatment might temporarily affect your TSH level. Avoid checking TSH during ovarian hyperstimulation or IVF treatment.
Biotin supplements might cause false positive thyroid testing results. Hold off any prenatal vitamins or supplements that contain Biotin for 3-5 days and recheck TSH level.
If repeated TSH is still abnormally high, more lab tests such as thyroid antibodies might be needed to find out the cause of thyroid dysfunction.
The most used medication to treat low thyroid function is Levothyroxine (Synthroid). Our doctor will assess your lab results and prescribe the appropriate dose to you.
Repeat TSH and thyroid hormone level 6 weeks after you start thyroid hormone to make sure you are taking the right dose.

What is the ideal TSH level to get pregnant?

TSH < 4.5 has been used as the upper limit for TSH. However, studies have suggested that TSH should be no higher than 2.5 when trying to conceive and 3.0 during pregnancy.

Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause of infertility.

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