- With Mayo Clinic gynecologist and obstetrician
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
Dr. Mary Gallenberg is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and medical oncology.
An Antigo, Wis., native, Dr. Gallenberg is a consultant in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and an assistant professor at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Gallenberg has been with Mayo Clinic since 1990. She was on the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource editorial board and has been honored for excellence in teaching. She also won a Mayo Clinic Excellence Through Teamwork award.
Definition (2)
- Tilted uterus: Can it lead to infertility?
- Ovulation signs: When is conception most likely?
Causes (4)
- Fallopian tubes: Is pregnancy possible with only one?
- Semen allergy: A cause of infertility?
- Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection?
- see all in Causes
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Fertility herbs: Do they enhance fertility?
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Question
Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection?
For women, is there any connection between hypothyroidism and infertility?
Answer
from Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. For women, there's sometimes a link between hypothyroidism and infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with the release of an egg from your ovary (ovulation), which impairs fertility. In addition, some of the underlying causes of hypothyroidism — such as certain autoimmune or pituitary disorders — may impair fertility.
For women, treating hypothyroidism is an important part of any effort to correct infertility. If infertility remains after hypothyroidism has been corrected, other interventions to treat infertility may be needed.
If you have hypothyroidism and hope to become pregnant, work with your doctor to make sure your hypothyroidism is under control. Seek additional help from an infertility specialist if needed.
If you have hypothyroidism and become pregnant, tell your doctor promptly. Close monitoring of your thyroid hormone level during pregnancy can promote normal fetal development and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
Next questionSecondary infertility: Why does it happen?
- Kuohung W, et al. Evaluation of female fertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 25, 2013.
- Neema A, et al. Gonadotropin levels in hypothyroid women of reproductive age group. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India. 2011;61:550.
- Unuane D, et al. Endocrine disorders & female infertility. Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2011;25:861.
- Milanesi A, et al. Management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity. 2011;18:304.
- Van den Boogaard E, et al. Significance of (sub) clinical thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity before conception and in early pregnancy: A systematic review. Human Reproduction Update. 2011;17:605.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 29, 2013.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 26, 2013.
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