Newspatrolling.com News cum Content Syndication Portal Online
BENGALURU / 29th January, 2025: Thyroid disorders, often dismissed as stress or “normal hormonal changes,” are emerging as a major yet under-recognised cause of infertility and pregnancy complications among Indian women, particularly those in their reproductive years. This was said by Bengaluru’s renowned gynaecologist and fertility expert Dr. Vidya V Bhat during the ongoing Thyroid Awareness Month.
The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating ovulation, menstrual cycles, metabolism and early fetal development. However, the doctor noted that subtle thyroid imbalances frequently go undetected until women start struggling to conceive, or experience recurrent pregnancy losses.
Said Dr. Vidya V Bhat, Medical Director, Radhakrishna Hospital, Bengaluru: “Thyroid disorders are among the most commonly missed yet easily treatable causes of infertility. We often see women with irregular periods, repeated miscarriages or difficulty conceiving who later discover an underlying thyroid imbalance. Many had symptoms for years, but these were normalised as stress, lifestyle issues or age-related changes. Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, hair fall and mood changes are often brushed aside especially among urban working women delaying timely diagnosis and treatment.”
India carries one of the highest burdens of thyroid disorders globally. Studies estimate that 10–12% of Indian adults suffer from thyroid dysfunction with women affected five to eight times more than men. The prevalence is significantly higher among women with reproductive health concerns such as irregular menstrual cycles (20–30% show thyroid abnormalities), PCOS (1 in 4 women may have co-existing hypothyroidism) and unexplained infertility (thyroid disorders are detected in 15–20% of cases). Urban centres like Bengaluru report higher detection rates due to delayed pregnancies, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress and autoimmune thyroid disease.
Said Dr. Vidya V Bhat: “Untreated thyroid disorders can significantly disrupt reproductive health. Hypothyroidism can prevent ovulation, cause heavy or irregular periods and raise prolactin levels, making natural conception difficult. It is associated with irregular cycles, compromised egg quality and an increased risk of miscarriage. Poorly controlled thyroid disease also raises the risk of early miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neuro-developmental problems in babies. Optimising thyroid levels before trying to conceive is critical. Waiting until after a positive pregnancy test can increase preventable risks for both the mother and the baby.”
The doctor noted that in her experience, nearly one in five women seeking fertility treatment is diagnosed with an undetected thyroid disorder. Many women, especially those in early to mid-30s who delayed pregnancy due to career priorities, were never advised a simple thyroid test even after experiencing symptoms for years.
Said Dr. Vidya Bhat: “Thyroid testing is simple, inexpensive and widely available yet remains underutilised in routine pre-conception and fertility assessments. Early thyroid screening can dramatically improve fertility outcomes, reduce unnecessary fertility treatments and increase the chances of natural conception. In many cases, thyroid-related infertility is reversible when diagnosed and treated early. Thyroid testing should be an essential component of fertility and pre-pregnancy care rather than an afterthought.”
