How thyroid disorders throw your hormones out of balance

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, just below the larynx. It secretes hormones that play a role in numerous metabolic processes. These thyroid hormones, for example, influence our overall energy levels. Thus, the condition and function of the thyroid gland affect your body temperature. In addition, the amount of thyroid hormones released also affects sex hormones. These include estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and androgens.

How the Thyroid Gland Affects Your Fertility

The thyroid gland therefore has a major impact on our well-being. If it produces too few hormones, bodily processes may not receive enough energy to function properly. This condition is known as hypothyroidism. On the other hand, if the thyroid gland releases too many hormones, you may have trouble relaxing. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism.

Ideally, the thyroid gland produces an appropriate amount of thyroid hormones. This keeps energy levels and recovery periods in balance. Both types of thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can affect your fertility. Unfortunately, the typical symptoms of such a disorder aren’t always clearly attributable to a thyroid hormone imbalance! In some cases, it can take a long time to get a definitive diagnosis. If you suspect you have a thyroid imbalance, please see a doctor or naturopath to get it checked out.

You can find more information here as well: Causes of menstrual cycle problems & Menstrual health

How are the thyroid, Hashimoto’s disease, and PCOS related?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (Polycystic ovary syndrome) occurs in about 5–10% of women of childbearing age. There is ongoing discussion regarding the higher prevalence of PCOS among women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is a chronic, autoimmune-mediated inflammation of the thyroid gland. Sooner or later, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis almost always leads to hypothyroidism, with its typical symptoms.

Thyroid Hormone Testing

Even the early stages of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (latent hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can lead to significant disruptions in the menstrual cycle and fertility.

A thorough evaluation of thyroid function is therefore a standard part of nearly every gynecological diagnostic workup. Both an overactive and an underactive thyroid can negatively affect your cycle and your fertility! An imbalance in thyroid hormones can thus be a cause of unintended infertility. This is because thyroid hormones regulate all important processes in the body. These naturally include fertility and reproduction. Thyroid and sex hormones, such as estrogen, are closely interrelated and influence one another. If thyroid hormones become imbalanced, this can affect, for example, the development and maturation of the egg. In addition, the rhythm of your cycle may shift unfavorably. Affected women become pregnant less frequently. If conception does occur, hyperthyroidism in particular can often lead to a miscarriage in the first few months.

Thyroid-related disorders

Hyperthyroidism

In this metabolic disorder, the thyroid gland produces too many hormones. This leads to a overactive metabolism, which can manifest itself, for example, as restlessness, nervousness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, hot flashes, and weight loss.

Hypothyroidism

In this case, the thyroid gland produces too few hormones. Those affected complain of fatigue, lack of energy, an increased need for sleep, and memory problems. They often feel cold, suffer from constipation, and experience significant weight gain. The skin is dry, cool, and pale; hair and nails are brittle. In addition to fluid retention (e.g., in the eyelids), women often experience menstrual irregularities. The pulse is slow, and muscle reflexes are weakened.

Effect on sex hormones

Prolactin

This is often because the hormone TRH not only promotes the release of TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, but also triggers the release of prolactin at the same time. Prolactin is a pregnancy hormone that stimulates milk production. In non-pregnant women, an excess of prolactin can lead to anovulatory cycles (no ovulation) or even the absence of menstruation. Significant breast-related symptoms such as tenderness, pain, swelling, and even milk secretion often occur. This excess prolactin often normalizes once hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is balanced with thyroid hormones. However, the improvement in menstrual irregularities may lag several months behind the adjustment of thyroid hormone levels.

Estrogens & Progesterone

However, even with regular periods, there may be imbalances in female hormones. It is possible that anovulatory cycles there is an excess of estrogen and a simultaneous deficiency of progesterone. Estrogens and progesterone are antagonists. This imbalance in sex hormones, in turn, negatively affects the functioning of thyroid hormones. An excess of estrogens increases the number of binding proteins, causing thyroid hormones to be bound more strongly and released in smaller amounts into the organs. Even without sufficient progesterone, thyroid hormones cannot function properly. Symptoms triggered by sex hormone imbalances may, under certain circumstances, be misinterpreted as cycle-dependent hypothyroidism. Very often, premenstrual syndrome also develops in these cases, with symptoms such as water retention, weight gain, and breast tenderness.

Androgens

Hyperthyroidism also has a particular effect on androgens. SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) levels are elevated, which leads to increased conversion of androgens into estrogens. Through poorly understood, complex feedback mechanisms, an excess of androgens stimulates the release of LH and FSH, while an excess of estrogens has a negative effect on the natural counter-regulatory hormone progesterone.

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Sources: Gesundheitsinformation.de – Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis