Dr. Masha, ND

Naturopathy

hypothyroid

Improving Fertility Naturally For Women and Men

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In my practice, I see women and men, couples (heterosexual and same sex couples) for natural treatments to improve fertility. I work with couples who would like to conceive naturally as well as with those who are seeking assisted reproductive technology to help them achieve their dream of having a family.
The best approach is to prepare for conception, healthy pregnancy and delivery. We call it in naturopathic medicine –Pre-Conception. Pre-Conception should be initiated a few months before intended conception or Assisted Reproductive Procedures (such as IVF, IUIs, etc).
What does Pre-Conception include?
-Identifying possible causes of fertility challenges in both partners (hormonal testing, general health testing, thorough history during extended visits)
-Implementing treatment after identifying the causes to improve fertility naturally for women and men (it can include herbal formulations to balance hormones, antioxidant/nutrient dense formulation to address sperm quality, nourishing and improving the quality of the female egg reserve, etc)
Low ovarian reserve and low sperm count and quality can be improved through the diet, exercise, correctly formulated botanical, vitamins, minerals, and finding emotional balance. And many other fertility challenges (thyroid imbalances, low progesterone/high estrogen state, PCOS, anovulatory cycles, just to name a few) can be improved through naturopathic protocols.
I have been through fertility struggles myself with my partner. It took us 7 years to conceive our first baby. We ended up doing IVF in Vancouver, Canada. The first course of IVF worked for us. We started preparing for IVF 6 months before the procedure. My husband was taking high quality supplements to improve his sperm quality and count, I was taking herbal/mineral/vitamin supplements to improve my endocrine system (hormones), take care of my follicle health (there are nutrients that follicles use as food), weekly session of acupuncture. Our diet was anti-inflammatory, we both had a routine for exercise.
I see it so often that families who are pursuing assisted reproductive technologies are not informed by their physicians or fertility specialists about the importance of caring for their bodies, their hormones, their reproductive health (including health of the sperm, ovaries, follicles, uterus, etc) before the IVF is initiated, thus, IVF may not have a high success rate and couples end up going through more in-vitro fertilizations many times spending a large amount of money and getting frustrated.
Couples who try to conceive naturally can benefit tremendously from adding natural medicine as part of pre-conception care.
As you can see this topic is vast and very individualized. Improving fertility naturally for women and men is what natural medicine is very good at.
If you have questions about natural approach to fertility, please do not hesitate to schedule a 15 Minute free Phone Consultation.

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Fertility Through Natural Medicine

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Challenges with fertility have been increasing around the world. Couple who are trying to conceive sometimes feel that they are very alone in their journey. Females who are pregnant can be noticed easily due to their adorable bellies but nobody sees females who are trying to get pregnant. By some estimates 1 in 7 couples are affected by fertility issues.[1]  Although female and male factors can usually be identified through testing and imaging techniques,  sometime the cause of difficulty remains unknown.

 

Male factors can include low sperm count, low sperm motility, morphology and diminished testosterone production. Female factors may include anovulatory cycles (cycles that do not have an ovulation time when ovaries release a follicle to be fertilized) and other disorders of menstrual cycles (prolonged menses, short cycles, and others). Some of the other conditions can also contribute to the issue with successful conception, such as endometriosis, blockage of Fallopian tubes (uterine tubes), diminished ovarian reserve, history of STIs in both partners, surgeries and procedures done on pelvic organs (ovaries, uterus, testis, penis). Difficulty conceiving can be due to low or high thyroid function, MTHFR mutations (lack of active folate available) and other hormonal dysregulations (PCOS, for instance).

 

Naturopathic medicine has a large toolbox to offer patients trying to conceive naturally and through assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, IUI).

 

 

During their visits, naturopaths consider the following aspects:

 –Detailed nutrition of the couple

-Their exposure to modern day toxins (BPAs in plastic and aluminum cans, phthalates, xenoestrogens, heavy metals)

 -Life style (high stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, being overweight or underweight)

– Any other chronic conditions (thyroid imbalances, autoimmune disorders)

– What testing and imaging have been completed in order to identify the cause of the challenge to conceive

In this article, I am not using the word “infertility” on purpose.  I personally believe it is a very negative and derogatory term that puts a mark on couples by its mere semantics.

 

In my practice, I encourage partners who are trying to conceive to think more positively about their chances to have a baby and to be open minded and patient when using naturopathic therapies to achieve desired parenthood.

 

When the diagnosis of the challenges with conception has been established, a naturopath develops a protocol. For instance, if a female has anovulatory cycles, there are a number of herbal combination and homeopathics (organotherapy + seed cycling) that over the course of several months can balance out the hormones in the body to stimulate regular monthly ovulation for optimal conception.

 

If the issue is low progesterone and estrogen ratio, then using herbal tinctures can restore a natural production of these important hormones. Possibly the issue can be connected with ovarian health, then glandulars, homeopathic combination, homeopathic drainage therapies (UNDA numbers) and specific herbal formulas can be used to help stimulate ovaries to produce healthy follicles on monthly basis.

 

Visits with naturopaths are usually longer which allows to always look at the whole person not just health of uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, sperm and testes. Pelvic floor therapy (gentle way to restore the muscular tone and healthy energy to the pelvic organs) can be utilized to help couples get pregnant and stay pregnant.

 

Working together with acupuncturist, chiropractors, endocrinologists, gynecologist and other specialists unites care for the sake of the patients and their goal to become parents.

 

If you have any questions about how naturopathic medicine can help with fertility, you can contact Dr. Masha, at drmashand@gmail.com.

[1] John A Robinson, NMD. Male Health in Trouble? The Global Decline in Testosterone and Sperm Count. NDNR, Nov 2017,  p.20

Naturopathic Approach to Being Anxious

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Anxiety is one of the most common complaints in doctors’ offices.

Modern life demands a lot of energy, attention, mobility and flexibility. There is less time for sleep and rest. We are almost always thinking, planning, solving problems every minute of the day. Life puts pressure on us to achieve more: successful careers, having a family, buying a house, taking care of aging parents, etc.  We eat on the go, sleep less, and are always on electronic devices (it is hard not to  as we are surrounded by them).

Thus, being anxious becomes part of life. It may start interfering with daily activities. There are certain genetic predispositions that can lead to high anxiety states:

  • MTHFR mutations
  •  depression disorders,
  • attention deficit disorder,
  • digestive conditions (irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel diseases),
  • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),
  • metabolic syndrome,
  • endocrine imbalances (thyroid dysregulation, cortisol imbalance), and many others.

In addition, anxiety can be a side effect of pharmaceutical medications:

  • Albuterol, salmeterol and theophylline
  • Methyldopa
  • Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
  • Benzedrine, Dexedrine, and Ritalin
  • Steroids, cortisol, dexamethasone, prednisone
  • Thyroid medications
  • Cough medications
  • Decongestants, such as phenylephrine (Sudafed PE).

To name a few.

It is not surprising that most the of population is anxious and may even develop anxiety disorders which can comprise around 3 million of cases in the USA.

How can naturopathic medicine help?

As naturopathic doctors will look at the whole person, take in-depth history and have a number of natural therapies to offer patients.

Anxiety is not always easily treated but if a patient follows the treatment plan and is open to trying different natural modalities, the results can be very promising – anxiety can be significantly diminished.

One of the principles of naturopathic medicine is to identify and remove the cause. Thus, before implementing therapies or even recommending medications, naturopathic doctors strive to pinpoint why anxiety is there in the first place. It can be challenging in some cases but through different types of testing (blood testing including) and history, naturopathic doctors with the help of patients can find the cause of chronic anxious states and reduce them.

Combination of homeopathic medicine, herbs, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, life style changes can help patient feel less anxious on day- to- day basis.

Natural Solutions for Weight Gain

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In some cases it seems you have tried everything – multiple diets, weight loss promising supplements, exercise but the weight is still there. Our body is rather complex and it demands a closer look at what is going on inside to understand why it is challenging to change the weight.
A number of conditions can cause weight gain: hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid), adrenal imbalance or fatigue (cortisol dysregulation, not usually recognized by allopathic medicine), female and male hormonal dysregulation (estrogen imbalance), PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), Cushing’s syndrome (overproduction of cortisol by adrenal glands), pre-diabetes, digestive disorders, and many other conditions.

Thus, a weight gain may need more investigation such as thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone profiles, cortisol measurements, blood glucose, basic laboratory testing, a thorough history and overview of the diet and life style. 

One of the conditions that may cause weight gain is hypothyroidism. Thyroid, a bi-lobed gland, situated in the anterior aspect of the neck, is one of the most essential glands in the body. Thyroid regulates breathing, heart rate, body weight, menstrual cycles, body temperature, cholesterol levels, digestion, skin health, cognitive functions and much more.

As naturopathic doctors, we pay particular attention to its health and well-being. In the USA thyroid issues are on the rise. In particular, under-reactive thyroid or hypothyroidism has become a silent endemic.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are chronic fatigue, constipation, dry skin, anxiety, and weight gain. The best way to ensure that thyroid is functioning properly is to do a blood testing for thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T4 and Free T3, thyroid antibodies), have your doctor palpate the thyroid gland to make sure there are no nodules and if it is tender to touch.

  • Balancing thyroid hormones can be achieved through the help of pharmaceutical medications (Synthroid, Armour thyroid , Nature-Throid),
  • anti-inflammatory diet,
  • more movement (any type of exercise),
  • adding spiritual practice or meditation,
  • a number of helpful nutrients (zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin D, amino acids, etc)
  • botanical medicine (herbal formulations).

Medications have to be prescribed by your primary care doctor or endocrinologist. Naturopaths or naturopathic doctors can prescribe thyroid medications (in particular, Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid) depending on the state you are in.

In naturopathic medicine, in order to balance thyroid, it is paramount to address adrenal gland (cortisol metabolism), hypothalamus and pituitary (so called, HPA axis). This way the effect on the thyroid will be long lasting and profound.

When hormones are addressed along with the diet and life style, it becomes easier for the body to lose weight and improve the slowed metabolism caused by under-reactive thyroid gland.

Thyroid health: The Core of Naturopathic Medicine

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Thyroid health is at the core of Naturopathic Medicine.

This article will explain why this gland you don’t seem to hear much about is actually one of the most essential glands in the body.

The Thyroid is a bi-lobed gland situated in the anterior aspect of the neck.

This small gland (weights less than 1oz in an adult) determines many functions that maintain life in a living organism.

Thyroid regulates breathing, heart rate, body weight, menstrual cycles, body temperature, cholesterol levels, digestion, skin health, cognitive functions and much more.

As Naturopathic Doctors, we pay particular attention to its health and well being.

In the USA, thyroid issues are on the rise.

In particular, under-reactive thyroid or hypothyroidism has become a silent endemic.

Thyroid function is not typically tested by doctors unless patients start exhibiting symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, constipation, dry skin, anxiety, weight gain.

Thyroid health is connected with various nutritional deficiencies (iron deficiency anemia[i], zinc deficiency[ii], low protein intake), gut health, and adrenal functioning.

When a person goes through stressful times, sometimes not even realizing it, some of the adrenal hormones produced by adrenal glands can be diminished or imbalanced (low cortisol in the morning creating fatigue and high cortisol in the evening making a patient go to bed later than normal).

In some patients, symptoms can be more subtle but the thyroid function is already compromised.

Possible reasons that lead to low thyroid function are: a lack of iodine in the body (absorbable, easy to digest form), deficiency of Magnesium and Zinc, heavy metal poisoning (such as with mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium) , surgical removal of the thyroid gland or treatment with radioactive iodine, pesticides, family history of thyroid conditions, radiation and X-rays (thyroid is very sensitive to ionizing radiation).

Such changes in a woman’s body such as pregnancy and menopause can also predispose somebody to thyroid problems.

The best way to ensure the thyroid is functioning properly is to do a blood test for thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 and others).

By addressing adrenal health, iron deficiency (anemia), as well as optimizing digestion and absorption can help improve thyroid function as well.

When you come to a Naturopathic Doctor, we can use a number of different natural approaches to optimize and recover thyroid health – herbal formulations, homeopathy, nutrition and life style changes, determine deficiencies and address them through supplementation and diet.

Mental and emotional factors are always considered as well.

 

[i] Saroj Khatiwada, Basanta Gelal, Nirmal Baral, and Madhab Lamsal. Association between Iron Statue and Thyroid Function in Nepalese Children. Thyroid Res. 2016;9;2. Published online 2016 Jan 27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4729155/

[ii]  Maxwell C, Volpe SL. Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Thyroid Hormone Function. A case study of two college females. Ann Nutr Metab. 2007;51(2):188-94. May 30, 2007.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17541266