Thyroid
Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland at the base of the anterior neck. It secretes thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin, regulating systemic metabolism, growth, body temperature, and serum calcium.
Thyroid dysfunction is a well-documented cause of menstrual irregularity, anovulation, luteal phase deficiency, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and adverse fetal neurodevelopment. Relevant diagnoses include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis with elevated thyroid peroxidase (TPO) or thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies.
In Restorative Reproductive Medicine, thyroid screening is routine in any infertility or recurrent-loss workup. RRM clinicians assess TSH, free T4, and TPO/Tg antibodies as the core panel, applying tighter TSH targets than non-fertility populations. They add free T3 and reverse T3 selectively, when the core panel is discordant or non-thyroidal illness is suspected. NaProTechnology evaluation addresses thyroid replacement in the context of infertility, and conception often follows once thyroid function is corrected alongside ovulation support.
Thyroid cancer is a separate entity arising in the gland itself and is outside the scope of reproductive endocrine assessment.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.