This week we had a beautiful patient review left, and I just had to share it!
Research has shown that women dealing with infertility have depression and anxiety levels similar to those with cancer, H.I.V. and heart disease.
The expense is huge, personally, emotionally, physically, and financially.
Let’s look at how natural medicine can help – even when IVF doesn’t.
Preconception Care + Thyroid
It is best to start preconception care 4-6 months prior to trying to conceive. It takes 120 days for an ovarian follicle to develop into the egg that will be released with ovulation. Your monthly egg is a reflection of your health status of the last 3 months. It can also take 4-6 months to replenish depleted nutrients, support healthy thyroid function or to implement lifestyle changes.
The Importance of the Thyroid in Conception
Thyroid function is a very important part of preconception care. If thyroid function is not optimal the body will struggle to conceive or hold a pregnancy.
Optimal thyroid levels for conception are;
- TSH: 0.4-1.5
- T4: 15.4-19.3
- T3: 5.9-6.8
Iodine
It is best to replenish iodine status prior to conception. Assessing your iodine levels is the first step. This can be done through a urinary test. From this we can see the baseline levels of iodine your body holds as if there are issues with absorption. As a part of preconception care, iodine supplementation may be necessary. The dose can be determine by your Lucy Rose Practitioner.
Researchers followed more than 500 women trying to conceive for 5 years. The women with moderate to severe iodine deficiency were 46% less likely to become pregnant.
Delayed conception in women with low-urinary iodine concentrations: a population based prospective cohort study. Mills et al. – Human Reproduction, pp. 1-8, 2018
Folate
We all know folate is an important nutrient in pregnancy. But what is less known is the form is most important. Most prenatal formulas contain Folic Acid, this is a poorly absorbed form. Due to this poor absorption, 40% of women, of reproductive age, are still deficient despite fortification of food and supplementation.
Our nutritional panel tests the active form of folate – 5MTHF (5 methyltetrahydrofolate) which are not on the Medicare list of free testing.
If this is low when trying to conceive it leads to fertility complications, so we test this nutrient and supplement according to your needs for optimal outcomes.
Nutrients That Must Be Optimal
The RDI is designed to prevent disease, it is not designed to guide correcting a deficiency. These are other nutrients that we optimise in all our patients to help them achieve the very best health:
Iron
Our need for iron increases significantly during pregnancy. We do not want to be going into the pregnancy with low stores for a range of reasons. Assessing your iron and ferritin (storage of iron) is essential in preconception.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is very common! This is due to lack of sun exposure, the use of sunscreens, covering up due to UV risks and malabsorption.
Omega fatty acids
EPA & DHA is are essential fatty acids that are important for early brain development and nervous system development. It is also now considered to be linked to gestation length and foetal weight.
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral important for the building of bones and teeth. The RDI during pregnancy is 1000-1300 mg/day. These levels can usually be obtained through diet and supplementation is not always necessary. Dietary intake should be assessed and altered to ensure adequate intake. Vegetarian and Vegan diets are more likely to have reduced calcium intake.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral used in over 500 metabolic functions! Not limited to, but including; energy metabolism, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, immune function and DNA synthesis. During pregnancy the demand for magnesium increases. Ensuring adequate levels during preconception care is very important.
By correcting these nutrients properly, we help many women achieve their fertility goals!
“When I started my treatment with Kimberley I had lost hope of ever feeling energised again or having a diet that didn’t upset my stomach every day.
Kimberley kept me on track and thinking positively.
My digestive system is running the best it has in 20 years!
Thank you Kimberley for believing that my body could change and knowing what I needed to make that happen.”
Please share this blog with anyone you know who is having trouble conceiving – it could be a thyroid issue – or like Zena, it could be a combination of factors. We can help.
All appointments are booked with people who care and are exclusively trained in thyroid and hormone imbalances – CLICK HERE