THYROID DISEASE

Read and learn more about thyroid problems women. For more, visit the Thyroid Disease website ThyroidDiseaseWiki.com.

Q: Can Thyroid Problems Cause Infertility in Women?
I have been trying to get pregnant for a few months now. I have been diagnosed with thyroid problems: mainly, they are underactive. I am not taking any meds to correct this currently, and have heard that it can cause infertility in women. Is this true? If so, how common is it? Thanks for taking the time to read.

A: I have an underactive thyroid and since being diagnosed my cycles have been irregular (even on medication). A few years ago my cycles were every 5-6 weeks and although they were longer than usual, they had some kind of pattern to them which helped me to track ovulation. I got pregnant with my son within 6 months. Now we are trying for our second baby and my cycles have gotten so much worse. The main reason is due to an ectopic pregnancy I had last year which resulted in one of my tubes being removed. After my surgery my cycles were 3-4 months apart so I am now taking Clomid. This is my first cycle and it hasn’t worked so I now need to increase the dose to see if that makes a difference. So in answer to your question, yes thyroid problems can cause problems when trying to conceive. It can play havoc with your hormones especially when you’re not taking medication. The good news is that there are drugs out there that can help you if need be so I wouldn’t worry too much about it just yet. Good luck anyway and god bless you x

Q: Is it Really Impossible for Women with Thyroid Problems to Lose Weight?
not sure if that’s an excuse to not exercise and eat right…
i don’t have thyroid, but occasionally i will come across a female who claims they have it and uses that as an excuse to get bigger and bigger and bigger (just trying to understand)

A: Yup, it is possible to lose weight and no, and, while it is an excuse to lose weight it is not a valid excuse.

FIRST – make sure that you actually have a thyroid problem. Less then 5% of the population actually has a diagnosed thyriod problem

ASSUMING that you actually do have an underactive thyroid, your doc will give you meds to regulate it – thus, no more problem

I am not sure why someone would not want to find 2 hours a week for a little exercise (3 days of 20 minute of cardio and 2 30 mintue resistance training) to increase energy and feel better or why someone would not want to eat a little better to improve the way their body runs but… If you don’t , use your thyroid as an excuse and learn to love the body that you are in

Q: Fertility treatment options for women with thyroid problems and immature eggs?
Hi all, I have a friend who has been trying to conceive for a few yrs now. She has been thru IVF with no sucess. She had been originally told she had hormonal issue with thyroid, but now has been told her eggs are not mature enough to concieve. What would be an alternative to IVF or other fertility treatments. Ur advice would be appreciated.

A: that’s probably best answered by an expert…did she do one IVF treatment or more than one…you can ask an RE online for free and give them the specifics about your friend to get a second opinion as well! check www.FertilityTies.com best of luck!

Q: For Women who have thyroid problems?
at my prenatal classes, i found out that women who have thyroid problems might have problem with breastfeeding or not enough producing milk in their breast to feed the baby. I need to know ur personal experience if u had problem breastfeeding with your thyroid or did it went well with yours? were u able to improve it better? how?

A: I have hypothyroidism, and my milk never fully came in. I also had a breast reduction years earlier, and that just added to the problem. I tried to pump, but only got a teaspoon of milk after 30 minutes of pumping. I had to start my daughter on formula.

You’ll just have to see how it goes when you have your baby. Chances are you’ll be able to produce enough milk to satisfy your daughter! Start working with a lactation consultant immediately after giving birth.

Good luck!!!

Q: Whats are signs of thyroid problems, in women?

A: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/thyroid_problems/article_em.htm

^^ above is a site all about information on thyroid problems.

Also, you can get your thyroid levels checked by your doctor, through blood work.

Some symptoms of thyroid problems would be being: overweight, hard to gain weight, always cold, low iron levels, etc..

Q: A woman was getting radiation for thyroid problems and couldn’t be around pregnat women is this all radiation?
I’m pregnant and my landlord is going through chemo and radiation am I alowed to go see her or should I send someone else to pay my rent? Has anyone heard of this? She doesn’t know I’m pregnant yet I’m 20 weeks.

A: ok im perfect to answer ur question
u cnt be around ur landlord for up2 a week after she has received radiation after the week is up ur fine so if it has been a week yea i would suggest u to send someone else to pay ur rent i said im perfect for this because im 36 weeks pregnant and earlier during my pregnancy my mother had to receive a radiation for thyroid cancer and i couldnt be near her for 7 dayz but she’s fine now cancer free thank GOD and be careful with ur unborn baby

Q: Women with thyroid problems, info needed please?
I have something called HYPOPITUITARISM hypo pit u it air ism. I have thyroid and pituitary problems. i have to take birth control just to get my period. I also take prednisone and synthroid. I know I have to ask my doc but, it’s complicated. Do I see my endocronologist about this or a gynocologist? I really want to have a baby. It’s time. If you have thyroid issues and had a baby, what did you have to do? PLEASE answer to the best of your ability. I don’t think god would put this wanting a baby in my heart if i can’t conceive. Thanks so much. God Bless
I was seeing a doc steady for 12 yrs, he sent me to a adult endocronologist. I couldn’t understand a damn thing he said and I tried going to another doc. In the mix I lost my whole medical file at the old docs, and am starting out like new. No, I’m fat 250, lol at 5′8″ also. I put a post in pregnancy. It started with THYROID issues, please help. Go there and c what those women said, veryyyyy uplifting. best of luck, and God Bless you. Thanks again.

A: Wow, Im sorry, I know how you feel. I am suffering from Hypothyroidism and Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (hormone disorder that puts cysts on ur ovaries-PAINFUL), High Liver Enzymes. Im 21 years old, and married. My disorders are also giving me trouble with child bearing. I dont know if i want to do the birth control, I had soo many issues with it when i was one them. Anywayz, Since 2006 I have gained weight and lost weight, Dont get a period for 3 months and then it only last 4 days max heavy and its gone. Since 06′Doctors would push me away saying i have a hormonal issue, it will clear up..and thats it. I miscarried 3 times, havent gotten pregnant in 4 years. Last february, I got really sick, and I was always nauseas and vomiting, and had my period for 2 months straight. I decided to see the Gynocologist about my issue I was using a box of 36 ULTRA absorbant Tampons with in 3-4 days, couldnt walk i was in soo much pain. After testing me and doing Transvaginal ultra sound they found my Left ovary full of bad cysts (at least 12) and my Right one full of Simple Cysts. Which is causing me not to be able to concieve. My thyroid issue is also a problem, I am 5 ft even, and 8 months ago I weighed in at 132lbs most muscle, now im 194. Thats alot of weight. No diet i tried has helped, nothing. My Gyno is sending me to the fertility specialist, She will be sending a note to my Insurance Co. stating that due to my medical issues I have to see a fertility specialist we are seeking pregnancy. On top of it all, I have to take Nu-iron (lack of iron in my blood), Thyroid (armour) meds for the rest of my life. Find a good Doctor, Everyone I run into at the labs, or hospitals, has my doctor so far. She is Wonderful. My husband and I are trying to have a baby soo bad. So do you have problems with gaining weight as well? what are you doing for it.

Q: Women with thyroid problems.. please answer…?
How did you discover you had a thyroid problem? I know you find out through blood tests.. but did the symptoms worsen, and then you went in? If so, what was it like? Thanks!!
Aw Angel, you are too sweet!! xx

A: Hi. I started to feel extremely tired, and my hair started to fall out really bad, so i went to the doctor. She did a blood test that showed i had Hypothyroidism ( which i had never even heard of ). Some other symptoms i had were, dry skin, peeling fingernails, cold all the time, hair loss, depression, and i would just start crying all the time for no reason. The symptoms did get worse. Now i’m on medication, and the symptoms are better, but have not gone away completely. It can take a long time to become healthy again once you start to take medication. Could be a year or two. Weight gain is another common symptom, but i have not gained any weight ( probably because i feel so bad most of the time i hardly eat ). It’s not a fun thing to have, hope you don’t have to go through it.

Q: Can a women with thyroid problem become pregnant in time she wants to?
I was diagnosed to have a thyroid problem does it affect my conceiving in case I plan to get pregnant?I’m I already infertile?
I’m also constipated does it have any relation to my thyroid problem?
thank you.

A: - first you must know that thyroid gland produce hormone named ” thyroxine ” this hormone affect nearly all body systems so elevation of this hormone at your body will affect many system
- the most serious effect is when the heart is affected ” you feel palpitation , rapid pulse , some time shorting of breathing ” as the hormone increase the power and rate of cardiac contraction which will make u expeince easy fatigability after minor efforts
- cardiac affection is danger during pregnancy ” as your heart have overwork to supply the blood to ur baby”
- SO ,, u must control ur thyroid hormone level before pregnancy and remaining following up ur thyroid hormone level + ur cardiac function at doctor clinic to have safe pregnancy
- thyroid hormone is easy to control medicaly BUT u must keep follow up at doctor clinic
- lastely .. thyroid hormone effect on Gastrointestinal Tract directly produce mainly diarrhoae ,,, but constipation may occur due to increasing your appetite ” u eat too much food ” which is the effect of the hormone at the brain ” it also treatable by medication

– LASTELY HAVE NICE BABY BUT DON’T FORGET PRENATAL FOLLOW UP

Q: So I just read on here somewhere, that women who have Thyroid problems…?
have a harder time producing breast milk. Is that true? Because I know my mom had her Thyroid removed about 15 yrs ago due to it being enlarged. but she was never able to breast fed any of her children, she tried with me and that lasted for about 2 weeks. I have had a Thyroid test done, because of my mom, and found that I had a low test rating, or whatever they called it, they wanted me to come back and test again, but my medical ran out, so I couldn’t. But I tried to breast feed as well, that lasted for about a month, of on going trying for hours a day.with nothing producing with no happy results and had to switch to formula. ( baby was loosing to much weight)
I am pregnant now, and plan on trying again to breast feed, but the whole Thyroid issue has me thinking now. Could have that have been a issue with me trying to breast feed? I am going to talk with my Dr at my next visit for sure now. I already told her about my test results, but I didn’t ask any more about it cus I didn;t know about the breast feeding part.

But don’t think I will be using this as a excuse not to breast feed, I am just curious now. So please no nasty comments, just accurate & peaceful answers please. Thanks.
“even if you were using this as an ecuse it’s a good one”

Nope, I wouldn’t and haven’t.
Thanks Mystic…I also have pretty bad anemia as well. So my next appt. I am going to talk with my DR, and ask for some more test and help. Cus I really want to breast feed this time around, I was devestated the 1st time around. Thank you.

A: Yes low thyroid, aside from being really bad for mom, can cause low milk supply.

Which is why any woman that doesn’t “make enough milk” with proper help needs to be referred for testing for thyroid, anemia, diabetes, and PCOS. Because at least three of those disorders can be serious if not treated.

I’m continually disgusted by a medical system that clearly cares so little for the health of women.

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Links

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-links.html

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Studies and References

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-refs.html

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Diagnostic Testing & Treatments

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-treatment.html

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-faq.html
Low thyroid levels (hypothyroid)

Moms who are hypothyroid have low thyroid hormone levels and elevated TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. Symptoms include cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, thinning hair, poor appetite, fatigue, depression and *********reduced milk supply. ********

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/hindrances.html
Low thyroid (hypothyroidism). Some women can develop this conditition for the first time during pregnancy and lactation. A test to check the thyroid function is always a good idea when a low supply does not respond to the usual methods for increasing it. Other symptoms of low thyroid include excessive hair loss, dry skin, increased sensitivity to cold, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, depression, and a swelling in the neck area. If a low thyroid is diagnosed, the medication to increase its activity is compatible with breastfeeding.

Q: what are the alternate treatement to thyroid problem in women?

A: Alternative Treatment for Thyroid problems include glandulars of animals such as pig thyroid(armour thyroid),and natural T3/T4 extracted from the pig thyroid gland.
Kelp tablets for natural iodine source.L-thyroisin,and other nutritional supplement products.Coconut oil also has benefits for the thyroid gland,as well as dietary modification.

Q: Can a woman develop thyroid problems after pregnancy?

A: Yes! In fact, it is very common. If you think you may have thyroid problems or have a family history of thyroid problems, please get your levels checked. It’s a simple blood test.

From http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/pregnant.html

“Thyroid illnesses are estimated to occur in up to 10% of women after childbirth and may occur up to one year after delivery. It is even more common in women with autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, Graves’ disease, premature graying of the hair, rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo (see the section on hyperthyroidism). In addition, some forms of postpartum thyroid disease may place you at increased risk to develop this illness again with subsequent pregnancies.

Postpartum thyroid disease can be an overactive thyroid, an underactive thyroid or both. Since many of the symptoms of thyroid disease are subtle and often overlap with the postpartum experiences of healthy women, the diagnosis of thyroid disease is often not considered. Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, irritability, weight changes or fatigue, which are common after delivery, even when thyroid disease is not present.

The most common cause of postpartum thyroid disease is thyroiditis, which is usually due to an autoimmune process. Thyroiditis occurs when the body produces antibodies against its own thyroid cells, either causing excess thyroid hormone to be released into the bloodstream (hyperthyroidism) or destroying so much thyroid tissue that the remaining thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Within the first one to four months after delivery, the hyperthyroid or overactive phase is most common. You may have a slight enlargement of the thyroid gland and you may notice increased anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, weight loss, and difficulty concentrating.

The second phase of postpartum thyroiditis is an underactive or hypothyroid period and usually occurs 3 to 8 months postpartum. This phase can be characterized by a slight enlargement of the thyroid gland and symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, lack of energy and often depression. In fact, many cases of so called postpartum depression have actually been linked to postpartum thyroid disease and are readily treatable (see the section on painless thyroiditis for details).”

Q: Why do doctors usually remove a problem thyroid in women but not in men?
Male co-worker has thyroid problem and wants his removed but doc only wants to put him on medication. His sister had hers removed and another co-workers wife had hers removed. Any reason why they take them out from women patients more often then men?
Male co-worker said he knows of quite a few circumstances where females had theirs removed so not just based on the 3 in my question. Co-worker had radio-active iodine treatment and it didn’t work. I had a cat with a thyroid problem and she had the radioactive iodine treatment and it worked for her the 2nd time around. My theory to the question was that maybe the thyroid stuck out in females so doctors removed it so they wouldn’t look like they had an Adams Apple, but that just seems like a silly answer now after ready the replies!

A: From a registered nurse and person with HYPOTHYROIDISM I can tell you that it depends on the situation. If the thyroid is found to have nodules forming consistently, removal is preferred. Also it may depend on what type of thyroid problem they are having. If they have malignancies on the thyroid gland, to prevent metastasis, removal is imminent. However if the person has Hashimoto’s or another type of autoimmune disorder, the thyroid is removed to prevent thyroid cancer. Side effects of pregnancy is thyroid destruction. Also, when a person had radioactive iodine uptake, usually people with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism can result and the thyroid should be removed to prevent further problems. As far as one gender getting it removed more than the other, I have not seen nor heard any such evidence. I have cared for many patients that were post thyroidectomy and the gender didn’t stick out for any reason.

Q: what kind of problems could be faced in pregnancy by a woman in thyroid?
hi,can u pls tell me if i want to be enjoy being a mother in age of 30 and having thyroid,is their any problem which could come in between.

A: You may need to consult a physician.

Q: Is it typical for people with diabetes to have other autoimmune disorders such as lupus and thyroid problems?
I have type 1 diabetes and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and am going through testing for lups, i have known several other women with type 1 & 2 diabetes having lupus. is this a common thing? something to somewhat expect?

A: Not sure about Lupus, but I know Celiac is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes. I would say best person to ask is your endocronologist.