Services
TRYING TO CONCEIVE WITH THYROID CONDITIONS
This service is only being offered in the Northern Suburbs.
Thyroid hormones regulate our reproductive hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), making your thyroid hormones responsible for egg maturation and menstrual cyclicity.
Thyroid-related fertility challenges include irregular periods, struggling to conceive or carrying a baby to term.
How diet may help
Iodine plays an important part in thyroid hormone health. Your Fertility trained Dietician will evaluate your dietary intake to advise on an increase with food if needed. Iodine requirements further increase during pregnancy. Seafood and fish are some of the richest sources of iodine.
Goitrogens interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis mostly when coupled with an iodine deficiency.
Goitrogens in LARGE amounts may negatively impact thyroid health in patients consuming a gluten-free diet. Goitrogens are found in raw cruciferous vegetables, e.g., broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, soy, and millet.
The goitrogenic effect of cruciferous vegetables is erased when they are boiled.
Soy intake of up to 2 serves per day is safe in most people.
Patients on thyroxine medications should monitor soy intake closely with the help of their Dietician.
Nutritional supplements
Calcium, iron, and chromium can hinder levothyroxine absorption. Talk to your Dietician on how to approach this.
Vitamin D deficiency is common (up to 90%) in patients with low thyroid function.
Vitamin D is also important for women with hyperthyroidism, as hyperthyroidism, particularly Grave's disease, has been found to cause bone loss,
Selenium: the largest amount is found thyroid gland. It has an essential role to play in thyroid function, which have a profound role to play in the ability to conceive. Sources include Brazil nuts, tuna, crab, and lobster.