Thyroid & Fertility: Why Testing Matters
On Midlife Monday, we explored how thyroid symptoms can be mistaken for menopause. But your thyroid plays another vital role — it’s a key player in ovulation, menstrual cycle regulation, and supporting a healthy pregnancy.
When thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), fertility can be affected — sometimes without obvious symptoms.
Your thyroid plays a vital role in ovulation, menstrual cycle regulation, and supporting a healthy pregnancy.
When thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), fertility can be affected — sometimes without obvious symptoms.
How Thyroid Imbalance Can Affect Fertility
Disrupts ovulation, making cycles irregular or absent
Increases risk of miscarriage
Impacts egg quality and uterine lining health
May cause menstrual flow changes (lighter, heavier, or unpredictable)
Why Test Early
Many thyroid disorders are easy to treat — and fertility often improves once hormone levels are balanced.
Even mild thyroid changes can make a difference when trying to conceive.
Testing before or early in pregnancy is important for the health of both mother and baby.
Treatment Options
Thyroid hormone replacement (for hypothyroidism)
Medication to lower hormone production (for hyperthyroidism)
Monitoring and adjusting treatment as needed during pregnancy
The Takeaway
Thyroid health is an essential — and often overlooked — part of fertility care.
At femcare.org, we include thyroid screening in our fertility workups so we can address every factor that matters for conception.
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