Thyroid Health and Fertility: What You Need to Know

If you’re trying to conceive, chances are you’ve already started paying attention to your hormones, cycle and maybe even your nutrition. One piece of the puzzle that is often overlooked is the role of thyroid health in fertility and healthy pregnancy outcomes. 

Let's explore the connection between thyroid function and fertility, signs your thyroid might be off, and how naturopathic care can support optimal thyroid and reproductive health. 

What does the thyroid have to do with fertility?

Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, but don’t let its size fool you. It plays a significant role in producing hormones that regulate metabolism, energy and most importantly, reproductive function. 

When thyroid hormones are too high (hyperthyroidism) or too low (hypothyroidism), it can disrupt ovulation, affect menstrual regularity, and even increase the risk of miscarriage or complications during pregnancy. 

Some key ways thyroid dysfunction can impact fertility: 

• Irregular cycles or missed periods

• Anovulation (not releasing an egg regularly) 

• Luteal phase defects

• Increased risk of miscarriage or early pregnancy loss

• Impaired implantation and egg quality 

Even subclinical hypothyroidism (when lab values are borderline but not quite abnormal) has been associated with fertility challenges and is often missed on standard bloodwork. 

Could my thyroid be impacting my ability to conceive?

You don’t need to have a diagnosed thyroid condition to experience symptoms. Many of the women I work with come in saying “my labs were normal,” but I still feel fatigued, cold or hormonally off. 

Some signs your thyroid may be impacting your fertility:

• Low energy or fatigue despite good sleep

• Feeling cold often or having low basal body temperatures

• Hair thinning or dry skin

• Constipation or sluggish digestion

• Irregular or long menstrual cycles

• History of miscarriage or difficulty conceiving

If this sounds familiar, it's worth digging deeper. 

How I assess thyroid health differently as a naturopath

In my practice, we go beyond the basic TSH test. I often include a comprehensive panel, which may include:

• TSH

• Free T3 and Free T4

• Thyroid Antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb)

• Basal body temperature tracking

We also consider your symptoms, stress levels, and nutrient status (such as iodine, selenium, and iron), and how all of this fits into your broader hormonal picture. 

Supporting your thyroid naturally during preconception

Naturopathic care excels in supporting thyroid and hormone health. Depending on your unique needs, we may work on: 

• Balancing the HPA axis (stress response) to calm inflammation and support hormone communication

• Optimizing nutrition (especially selenium, zinc, iron and iodine) 

• Supporting gut health to reduce autoimmunity and improve nutrient absorption

• Herbal medicine or targeted supplementation to gently encourage optimal thyroid function

• Tracking ovulation and menstrual cycles to assess improvements in real time 

If medication like levothyroxine is needed, I have prescription authority in BC to be able to prescribe while also supporting you holistically. 

Thyroid health is fertility health

If you’re planning to conceive or have been trying without success, your thyroid is worth checking. It’s not just about TSH, it’s about how your whole body communicates and supports reproduction. The good news is that with the right testing and support your thyroid can become a strength rather than a stumbling block on your fertility journey. 

Curious if your thyroid could be impacting your fertility? 

Let’s explore it together. As a fertility naturopath in Kelowna, BC, I offer comprehensive hormone and thyroid assessments to help you feel empowered and informed. Book a discovery call here to learn more about how we can support your fertility.