How to Reduce TSH Levels to Get Pregnant?

Thyroid issues are very common among women, especially those who are trying to get pregnant. It is estimated that nearly 5-18% of women experience thyroid problems during their childbearing years. Unfortunately, disrupted thyroid health can affect fertility, making it difficult to conceive. Therefore, it is incredibly important to monitor thyroid function, especially in women who are planning to start a family.
One easy and effective way is to measure TSH levels. TSH levels are a critical factor that controls ovulation, the menstrual cycle, and the outcome of pregnancies. Therefore, women planning to conceive should have the right TSH levels to get pregnant.
In this article, we will guide you on how to reduce your TSH levels to optimal values. So, if you are struggling with thyroid issues, this article is certainly for you.

What Is TSH?

TSH, a thyroid-stimulating hormone, is secreted by the pituitary glands in the brain. It stimulates the thyroid gland to synthesize thyroid hormones (thyroxine-T4 and triiodothyronine-T3). These hormones control almost every reaction in your body. In simple words, every chemical process in your body, from the digestion of food to the synthesis of cells, is influenced by these hormones.
Hypothyroidism refers to a condition when the thyroid gland cannot produce enough hormones to sustain the chemical processes taking place in the body. The brain suspects these changes and increases TSH levels as a compensatory mechanism. Therefore, we now know that high TSH levels actually indicate poor thyroid function.
Poor thyroid function affects fertility and makes it hard to get pregnant. Therefore, it is incredibly important to keep your TSH levels within normal limits.

What are the Normal TSH Levels?

Normal TSH values range from 0.4 mU/L to 4.0 mU/L in an average woman. However, the recommended values are somewhat different in women who are planning to get pregnant in the near future. According to the American Thyroid Association, women should keep their TSH levels below 2.5 mU/L to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Abnormal TSH levels can lead to functional changes in the thyroid and, consequently, interfere with menstruation, ovulation, or even implantation of the embryo. Thus, those intending to conceive should maintain close communication with their health providers regarding their TSH levels, which should be monitored, especially before conception and corrected if necessary.

How Does High TSH Affect Chances of Getting Pregnant?

The high level of TSH is a characteristic sign of hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is dormant and fails to produce adequate thyroid hormone. Though the pituitary gland elevates the production of TSH to stimulate the thyroid, the imbalance of thyroid hormones affects numerous aspects of fertility.
The high levels of TSH are related to ovulation disorders and hence prevent the release of eggs from the ovaries and thereby make conception more challenging. High TSH also sometimes leads to irregularities in menstrual cycles.
Additionally, thyroid dysfunction in a woman before she gets pregnant may increase the chance of miscarriage. Therefore, maintaining the optimal level of TSH is very important for conception purposes, but it also helps in fetal development throughout pregnancy.

How to Reduce TSH Levels to Get Pregnant?

Manage Health Conditions

Early treatment of the underlying disease is very crucial in women with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune condition which attacks the thyroid gland. Generally, managing this condition stabilizes thyroid function, thereby lowering TSH levels.
It might involve medications, regular blood tests, and watchful waiting. The disruption of thyroid function usually impacts fertility in many cases, and therefore, treatment of the underlying disease is critical.

Seek a Doctor for Thyroid Medication

The most common way of getting the TSH levels reduced is through medication. This usually entails taking a synthetic version of a thyroid hormone called T4, often referred to as levothyroxine. It allows the levels of normal thyroid hormones to regain their balance and thus lower the levels of TSH.
Follow your doctor's prescription strictly and monitor TSH levels often to know your body's dosage requirements. In some women, during the preconception period and early pregnancy, dosing changes would be required to maintain optimal levels of thyroid function.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Appropriate nutrition favours the proper working of the thyroid gland. Iodine, selenium, and zinc are a few of the common minerals that are important for the production of thyroid hormones. You can get iodine from seafood, dairy products, or simply iodized salt. At the same time, selenium is found in Brazil nuts.
Additionally, a balanced diet of healthy protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc can help in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which can further help you reduce TSH levels to get pregnant.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

One of the classical signs of high TSH levels is weight gain. Excess body weight further deteriorates thyroid function, which leads to a vicious cycle of poor health. Therefore, it is incredibly important to have good control over your weight.
Even a small loss of body weight can increase TSH and help restore cyclical ovulation, thus increasing the chances of conception.

The Bottom Line

Managing TSH levels is one of the most important steps in managing thyroid dysfunction when women are planning to conceive. There are proven methods that involve medication, dietary changes, or stress management, which will greatly improve the chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.