Is pregnancy possible with Hashimoto’s?

Undiagnosed or inadequately treated Hashimoto’s significantly contributes to infertility, yet proactive measures can enhance your prospects of conceiving.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune thyroid condition that causes your immune system to make antibodies against key enzymes needed to make thyroid hormone. This causes the gland to fail to produce sufficient thyroid hormone, essential for regulating metabolism and energy utilisation in the body. These hormones also play a crucial role in menstrual cycle regulation. Optimal thyroid hormone levels are pivotal for egg quality and development and ovulation; inadequate levels may disrupt this process, resulting in irregular or absent periods, thereby impeding the chances of conception.

What Causes Hashimoto’s

The cause of Hashimoto’s is not fully understood but it believed to be a constellation of events or triggers. There are three ingredients needed to trigger off the immune system

1. Genetics

2.  Leaky gut, this is where bacteria and toxins are allowed to enter the bloodstream via the gut.

3.  A stressful event or trigger like gut infections, mould, environmental toxins and heavy metals.

Remember you can have raised thyroid antibodies for 5-10 years before you’ll see your thyroid markers go out of range.

Unfortunately, it is quite common to develop Hashimoto’s’ post-partum. You are most at risk for developing Hashimoto’s and/or Graves disease in the 12 months following birth

Common Signs of Hashimoto’s

·        Weight gain

·        High cholesterol

·        Inability to tolerate the cold

·        Depression

·        Slow heart rate

·        Low basal body temperature

·        Fatigue

·        Thinning hair and brittle nails

·        Constipation

·        Menstrual concerns such as irregular or heavy periods

Lab Tests for Thyroid

·        TSH

·        Free T4 (thyroxine)

·        Free T3 (triiodothyronine)

·        Reverse T3

·        TPO Abs

·        Tg Abs

Ideally you would want to test these levels in the TTC window. If you have a known history of miscarriage and suspect thyroid may be the culprit, then getting tested regularly in pregnancy is recommended

Ideal Levels in Pregnancy

Before you get pregnant you should be aiming to have your TSH sitting <2.5miU/L

Trimester 1: TSH should be <2.5 mIU/L

Trimetser 2 & 3: TSH should be <3.0 mIU/L

It’s important to note, having levels higher than this can increase the risk of miscarriage with the greatest risk window around the 4–8-week mark. In addition to this having thyroid antibodies also increases the risk of miscarriage.

Don’t lose hope!

You can get pregnant with thyroid antibodies, but you must ensure your TSH stays under these levels. In addition to this make sure you are working on reducing your thyroid antibodies within the limits of pregnancy safe options.

Once you are through the first trimester, generally speaking you will see thyroid antibodies levels start to decline as the immune suppression takes over. However, it’s important that you do not become complacent.

It is very common for women with Hashimoto’s to develop hyperthyroidism around 3-4 months post-partum and then swing straight back into Hashimoto’s with steep increases in thyroid antibody levels. It’s important to stay on top of your thyroid when you are pregnant to reduce the risk of this happening.

Thyroid Medication

Thyroid medication may be needed to support a healthy pregnancy. This is best discussed with your doctor.

Natural ways to support your thyroid

Add in the following vitamins and minerals

·        Selenium, important to help convert T4 into T3 and protect the gland from damage

·        Iodine, essential for pregnancy but you need to be cautious when you Hashimoto’s. Aim for levels of 150. If deficient carefully add iodine in. 100-200mcg every few days. Iodine can make your TSH go up and make your immune system more aggressive. Usually, I test urinary iodine levels first, before deciding whether to add iodine in

·        Iron, helps to stick iodine and tyrosine together, and is often depleted in pregnancy

·        Vitamin D, helps to get thyroid hormone into your cells. Aim for levels around the 120 nmol/L mark

·        Zinc, helps to convert T4 into T3. Aim for levels around 15 umol/L

Foods to add into your diet

·        Brazil nuts

·        Pumpkin seeds

·        Spinach

·        Spirulina

·        Cod liver oil

·        Red meat

Extra Support for your Immune System

Aloe Vera, can improve TSH levels and lowers thyroid antibodies

NAC, which can help to reduce thyroid antibodies and protect the gland from damage. Aim for 2g daily

Final Thoughts

Pregnancy is possible if you have Hashimoto’s, but it’s important to take steps to support your thyroid whilst trying to conceive and during pregnancy with a doctor who understand thyroid health.

However, don’t feel disheartened if you need medication or need to adjust your medication to support a healthy pregnancy.

Much Love,

Megan

P.S Curious about your thyroid? And want to learn more – I have a whole masterclass dedicated to learning everything there is about thyroid health so you can heal your thyroid naturally