In today’s world, many people struggle with thyroid problems along with digestive issues. When struggling with infertility, it’s important to understand that thyroid health affects fertility. Thyroid health is intertwined with gut health and other facets of fertility health like libido, basal body temperature and menstrual cycle regularity to name a few. While medication may be necessary to treat a thyroid problem, for long-term recovery, it’s vital to address digestive health, which is involved in thyroid hormone production. What’s promising is that for some people, dietary changes and improvements in gut health could even decrease their need for thyroid medication and help promote natural fertility.
What’s Up With The Gut?
- Today, the low fiber, processed foods’ diet many people follow sets the stage for all types of digestive concerns like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or constipation.
- Common medications like antibiotics, steroids or anti-fungal drugs also put stress on normal digestion. If you have a thyroid problem, healthy digestion can be even more challenging.
- Thyroid problems can both cause and worsen digestive issues like constipation, SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and imbalanced stomach acid production.
- Some of the research on gut health and the thyroid: 2014 research reveals there may be a link between low thyroid activity and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
- A 1968 study published in Endocrine Research shows the gut is involved in both T3 and T4 production. 1988 research published in Life Sciences finds T3 and T4 help to protect the intestinal lining from ulcers.
- Thyroid experts estimate that around 20% of thyroid function depends on the conversion of T4 into the more active T3 form in the gut microbiome.