Infertility: Could your thyroid be to blame?

Couples who have been trying to conceive longer than one year often start wondering what could be wrong. There are many possible causes of infertility, and it may seem like you are looking for a needle in a haystack. Could hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism be to blame for your infertility?

The thyroid gland, located in your throat, is a little organ few people spend any time thinking about. Among other things, problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland can lead to infertility. The symptoms of thyroid problems are general symptoms that could be caused by a number of things, and many times, a woman won't even be aware that she has any symptoms. Yet, according to estimates, around 60 million American women suffer from thyroid conditions. Could you be one of them?

Depending on whether the thyroid is working too quickly or too slowly, some of the symptoms of thyroid problems include sudden weight loss or weight gain, hair loss, depression, excessive sweating, changes in menstruation and the menstrual cycle, and a lack of ovulation. The latter two are linked to infertility, although many women won't know that they are not ovulating. Regardless of the possible cause of infertility, using ovulation tests to find out whether a woman is ovulating is always a good first point, when she is worried about infertility.

And, it may give you clues you have thyroid issues as well. Ask your doctor about thyroid conditions if you suspect this may apply to you. Thyroid disorders are often not diagnosed for a variety of reasons, and it can help if you specifically insist on blood tests to determine whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Remember, you can ask for a second opinion if your doctor doesn't see a reason to do tests.