Week 12
Welcome to the Module 3 Week 12 of the Fertile Ground Holistic Fertility Program!
Module 3
Week 12
Module 3 - Week 12 will be focusing on the role of the thyroid and the fertility connection.
Understanding the Thyroid
Your thyroid gland, along with your reproductive glands, is part of the endocrine system. These glands secrete hormones that affect various parts and organs. Your thyroid is the master gland of metabolism. It uses dietary iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to produce thyroid hormones (inactive T4 and active T3) that deliver oxygen and energy to every cell in your body. T4 must be converted to T3 to become active in your body.
When low thyroid hormone levels are detected, they hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin. TSH signals to your thyroid gland to make more thyroid hormone. When increasing blood levels of thyroid are detected, TSH production drops and production of thyroid hormones slows.
Understanding Thyroid Dysfunction
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) means there is too little thyroid hormone. The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's disease, where the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland and makes thyroid antibodies that cause inflammation (thyroiditis) and gradually destroys it. The gland becomes incapable of producing enough thyroid hormone, resulting in hypothyroidism. It is not known what causes Hashimoto's, however gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, environmental toxins, stress and nutritional deficiencies may be contributing factors.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) means the thyroid means the thyroid is producing an excess of thyroid hormone. The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Grave's disease, which is associated with the development of a goiter (enlarged thyroid). In Graves, antibodies bind to the thyroid gland resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormone.
The Thyroid-fertility Connection
Normal thyroid function is essential to your ability to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy. An undiagnosed or poorly managed thyroid condition can affect fertility in various ways, resulting in anovulatory cycles (lack of ovulation), luteal phase defect (short luteal phase and insufficient progesterone), high prolactin levels and sex hormone imbalances. This can interfere with normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone and affect fertility by preventing ovulation and causing irregular or missed periods.
Hypothyroidism is associated with decreased levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to estrogen and low levels can result in elevated estrogen, which can increase the need for thyroid hormone at the cellular level because estrogen competes with thyroid hormones to attach to thyroid receptor sites throughout the body. Elevated estrogen can therefore block the transportation of thyroid hormone into cells.
During pregnancy your thyroid must expand its function to encompass the needs of both you and your developing baby. This continues throughout pregnancy but is especially important during the first trimester as fetal brain development relies on thyroid hormone, but the fetus doesn't produce its own until around 12 weeks' gestation.
How Do You Know if Your Thyroid Needs Support?
Symptoms reflect the lack of oxygen and energy that results from too little thyroid hormone:
Menstrual Symptoms
Optimizing Thyroid Function
When low thyroid hormone levels are detected, they hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin. TSH signals to your thyroid gland to make more thyroid hormone. When increasing blood levels of thyroid are detected, TSH production drops and production of thyroid hormones slows.
Understanding Thyroid Dysfunction
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) means there is too little thyroid hormone. The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's disease, where the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland and makes thyroid antibodies that cause inflammation (thyroiditis) and gradually destroys it. The gland becomes incapable of producing enough thyroid hormone, resulting in hypothyroidism. It is not known what causes Hashimoto's, however gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, environmental toxins, stress and nutritional deficiencies may be contributing factors.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) means the thyroid means the thyroid is producing an excess of thyroid hormone. The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Grave's disease, which is associated with the development of a goiter (enlarged thyroid). In Graves, antibodies bind to the thyroid gland resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormone.
The Thyroid-fertility Connection
Normal thyroid function is essential to your ability to conceive and sustain a healthy pregnancy. An undiagnosed or poorly managed thyroid condition can affect fertility in various ways, resulting in anovulatory cycles (lack of ovulation), luteal phase defect (short luteal phase and insufficient progesterone), high prolactin levels and sex hormone imbalances. This can interfere with normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone and affect fertility by preventing ovulation and causing irregular or missed periods.
Hypothyroidism is associated with decreased levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to estrogen and low levels can result in elevated estrogen, which can increase the need for thyroid hormone at the cellular level because estrogen competes with thyroid hormones to attach to thyroid receptor sites throughout the body. Elevated estrogen can therefore block the transportation of thyroid hormone into cells.
During pregnancy your thyroid must expand its function to encompass the needs of both you and your developing baby. This continues throughout pregnancy but is especially important during the first trimester as fetal brain development relies on thyroid hormone, but the fetus doesn't produce its own until around 12 weeks' gestation.
How Do You Know if Your Thyroid Needs Support?
Symptoms reflect the lack of oxygen and energy that results from too little thyroid hormone:
- Fatigue
- Feeling cold, cold hands and feet
- Sluggish digestion or constipation
- Hair loss
- Loss of the outer edge of your eyebrows
- Weight gain
- Swelling and puffiness
- Brain fog
- Poor memory
- Slow pulse
- Low Blood Pressure
Menstrual Symptoms
- Long or irregular cycles
- Anovulatory cycles
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding
- Irregular bleeding
- Luteal phase defect
Associated Conditions
- Elevated prolactin
- Unexplained infertility
- Endometriosis
- PCOS
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Family history of thyroid disease or autoimmune conditions
Optimizing Thyroid Function
- Optimize liver function
- Optimize gut health
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet
- Support blood-sugar balance
- Include dietary iodine
- Include iron-rich foods
- Avoid gluten
- Avoid soy
- Avoid raw cruciferous vegetables
- Detox your environment
- Manage stress
- Move your body
For More Help with Thyroid Health
If you would like more information on products that are helpful for thyroid health, you can contact me or simply log into your account and order any that you would like to try. If you do not have an account, you can go to or click here - my.doterra.com/womenshealth and you can set up an account and order.
Oils and protocols are included in the Essential Oils for Thyroid Health and the Top 5 Thyroid Oils downloads. A link is provided for all the oils listed - you can choose which ones you would like.
Oils and protocols are included in the Essential Oils for Thyroid Health and the Top 5 Thyroid Oils downloads. A link is provided for all the oils listed - you can choose which ones you would like.
Action Items:
- Download each of the handouts and resources above
- Continue to fill out the information in the 4 Phase Symptom Tracker - and tracking your cycle
- Start to implement the information in the downloads
- Continue to do affirmations, gratitudes, journal entries and food diary
- Do the Creating Sacred Pelvic Space and Meditation On the Ovaries exercises - you can use the MP3 or print the handouts to use
- Do the Yoga Nidra Fertility Meditation 2 at least a couple of times this week or more-use this meditation for weeks 9-12
- Continue to do the Fertility Pelvic Massage routine two and Fertility Yoga- three times this week
Please complete this form so we can talk about info at next appointment
Have you joined the Facebook Group?
Join our Women's Health Facebook group and get extra support, ask questions and join in on the live Q&A sessions each month! We hold classes frequently on women's health where you can gather information on many topics.
