Hashimoto’s, Fertility and Acupuncture

Hashimoto’s and Fertility: What You Need to Know

If you’re trying to conceive and have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you might worry about how it affects your fertility. While conventional treatments like thyroid hormone replacement may be essential, consider exploring fertility acupuncture to boost your chances of a baby.

Understanding Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and decreased thyroid hormone production. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy levels, and reproductive health.

Understanding the Connection with Fertility

Hashimoto’s can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance necessary for conception, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, ovulation problems, and an increased risk of miscarriage. Even when thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range, the presence of thyroid antibodies can negatively impact fertility.

“The presence of anti-thyroid antibodies has an increased risk of unexplained infertility, low fertilization rates, poor embryo quality in assisted reproductive technologies, miscarriage, preterm delivery, perinatal mortality, and maternal post-partum thyroiditis.”

How Acupuncture May Help

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving stimulation of specific points on your body to promote health and balance. Research suggests that acupuncture may offer several benefits for women with Hashimoto’s trying to conceive:

• Reduction in Thyroid Antibodies: Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab), which are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and reduced fertility. By lowering these antibodies, acupuncture may help create a more favorable environment for conception and a healthy pregnancy.
• Improvement in Quality of Life: Even when your thyroxine levels are controlled by supplementing it, Hashimoto’s can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, mood swings, and pain, which can impact overall well-being and potentially fertility. Acupuncture has been shown to improve quality of life scores in women with Hashimoto’s, reducing stress and promoting a sense of balance, which can positively influence reproductive health.
• Immune Modulation: The reduction in TGab suggests that acupuncture may help regulate the immune system. Since Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, acupuncture’s potential to modulate the immune response could further contribute to improved fertility outcomes.
• Potential Ovarian Function Improvement: In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the Li et al. study (2020) also explores the potential of acupuncture to improve ovarian function in women with Hashimoto’s. This includes assessing markers like Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), which is indicative of ovarian reserve, and other hormones involved in ovulation. Positive results in this area could further support the use of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for fertility in women with Hashimoto’s.

Important Considerations

While the research on acupuncture and Hashimoto’s-related fertility is promising, it’s crucial to keep these points in mind:

• Acupuncture should be used alongside conventional medical treatment for Hashimoto’s, not as a replacement.
• It is crucial to work with a qualified specialist acupuncturist experienced in treating women with thyroid issues and fertility concerns.
• More Research is Needed: While existing studies suggest potential benefits, further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of acupuncture for fertility in women with Hashimoto’s.

Empowering Your Fertility Journey

If you’re considering acupuncture as part of your fertility journey with Hashimoto’s, discuss it with a Registered Reproductive Acupuncture Specialist. They can help you make informed decisions and ensure that acupuncture is integrated safely and effectively into your overall treatment plan. By combining conventional medical care with acupuncture may help you optimise your chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy.