In today’s episode, I am sharing a fantastic interview with Lorna Driver-Davies all about the thyroid, Endo and fertility. It is a long one, but it’s because there was a lot to cover, and because it is quite a complicated subject and we wanted to unpick it and simplify it for you and make sure you have some things to talk to your doctor about if you have concerns, and ensure you are taken seriously. I did contemplate splitting it into two episodes, but decided against it – you can just pause it and continue at another time!
Research studies on Endometriosis and the thyroid
Unfortunately there are not many studies on the connection between Endometriosis and the thyroid – I do hope that this changes in the future. There was one study by Yuk et al., (2016), that positively connected Grave’s disease and Endometriosis in 5,615 women, but they didn’t find a significant connection with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s autoimmune hypothyroidism. There is also an interesting article by Nancy’s Nook in February this year that shares more information about some of the studies that have been done, stating that there is a contradiction in the research and also not enough done, as I have found.
Interestingly, you speak to those that work with Endometriosis, like Lorna, and I would agree with this, and we find that many women with Endo definitely have sub-clinical issues with their thyroid, and as it is so important for fertility, it is imperative that it is understood in more detail.
Research studies on fertility and the thyroid
There is however, far more research about how hypothyroidism affects fertility, much of it from those that go for assisted reproductive techniques. For example, a study by Verma et al. (2012) found that of 394 infertile women, 24% had hypothyroidism (where their Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) was over 4.2 mIU/mL) – when they were treated, 77% of them went onto conceive between 6 weeks and a year. What is interesting, is that this doesn’t look at women with levels above 2-2.5 mIU/mL, which is actually the level that most IVF clinics will use as their cut off as acceptable levels of TSH. So the number of infertile women with thyroid issues was likely to be higher than 24%.
If you want to read more, then an American review of the impact of thyroid disease on fertility and assisted conception was undertaken in 2020 by Unuane et al., which makes very interesting reading. One thing they do state is that all women with fertility problems should be screened for TSH AND thyroid antibodies, which is certainly one step better than what is current standard practice.
Lorna Driver-Davies
Lorna has worked for over a decade as a registered clinical nutritional therapist and naturopath, specialising in Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, menstrual cycle irregularities and Endometriosis comorbities, such as gastrointestinal dysfunctions and thyroid disease. This deep clinical experience has enabled her to develop her expertise and highly specific nutrition protocols for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. She lectures to both doctors and nurses about nutrition for Endometriosis including to specialist Endometriosis surgeons, she also speaks to the public, patients in hospitals and charity support groups. Lorna’s published work includes an evidence-based peer reviewed case analysis chapter on nutrition for Endometriosis, thyroid and hormone health – I will provide the link to this book in the show notes.
Lorna is Head of Nutrition at Wild Nutrition, a natural food-based supplement company, with a specific focus on women’s health at all life stages including fertility. Their co-founder is Henrietta Norton, an Endometriosis expert and nutritional therapist.
In this episode we talk about:
- Lorna’s personal experience with thyroid and Endometriosis
- How the thyroid works in the body
- Thyroid testing and what to ask for
- Importance of iodine and depletion in our food
- Tyrosine and importance of protein, especially if you are a vegan / vegetarian
- Difference between hypo and hyperthyroidism and what they mean
- What thyroid auto-immune disease is and how it affects your body
- Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
- Relationship between Endometriosis and the thyroid
- How the thyroid doesn’t like “excess estrogen”
- Relationship between Hashimoto’s, Thyroid and Endometriosis
- Why the thyroid is so important for fertility
- Key nutrients and lifestyle to improve thyroid function
- Thyroid and toxic substances, esp. mercury
- Nutrient deficiencies and thyroid deficiencies
- Biological and lifestyle stressors and the impact on your thyroid
- When to seek professional help with your thyroid
- How to ask for a second opinion if you are not being listened to by your doctor
- Supplements to support the thyroid
If you have any questions about the episode, just send me or Lorna an email!
Contact and Find Lorna and Wild Nutrition:
- Website: wildnutrition.com – book in for a mini chat
- Lorna’s personal webpage: https://www.lornadriverdavies.com
- Instagram: @lornadriverdavies and @wildnutritionltd
- Email: lorna@wildnutrition.com
Mentioned resources:
Further Endo Fertility resources:
- Join my Endo Fertility community! Find us in the Thrive and Conceive with Endometriosis Facebook Group.
- Follow me on Instagram and Facebook
- Music Credit: Intro/Outro music Optimistic Future
This episode is sponsored by the Endo Fertility Resource Library where you can get your 3 amazing freebies: E-Book:
- 5 Things I Learnt to Drop My Pain & Optimise My Fertility,
- Your Guide to Super Sperm
- 88 Ways I Dropped My Pain and Got Pregnant.
Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on any future episodes – which will be out weekly on Wednesdays – ready to download for your commute! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review? Thanks!
If you want to be on the podcast or have feedback please email: info@endofertilityspecialist.com
This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.
