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As an herbalist, I want to empower and educate you as you navigate your fertility journey. Thyroid problems come up over and over again in my consultations with clients seeking to improve their fertility. Thyroid problems are at epidemic levels, especially among women! Thyroid disorders are estimated to affect 20 million Americans, and they clearly impact reproductive health. While numerous factors influence thyroid health, a new body of evidence suggests exposure to fluoride is a risk factor for many people today.
How The Thyroid Gland Impacts Fertility
For women, hypothyroidism or low thyroid activity is associated with increased risk of miscarriage, and reduced FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) levels- both needed for egg follicle maturation. For men, hypothyroidism is linked to reduced sperm volume and motility, and sperm defects. While there is less research on the topic, high thyroid levels are also associated with fertility issues like higher than normal testosterone and gonadotropin hormones, which may damage sperm.
Natural therapies play an important role in supporting healthy thyroid activity, and in turn, fertility. A good place to start is to avoid exposure to thyroid disrupters. The fluoride present in toothpaste, municipal water supplies and non-organic foods (through the use of fluoride containing pesticides) is disruptive to healthy thyroid function, and is especially concerning.
The Dark Side of Fluoride
All forms of fluoride have the potential to be poisonous. The most toxic form is hydrofluosilicic acid, a by-product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. This is the substance added to fluoridate water. Yet, sodium fluoride (added to toothpaste) and even natural calcium fluoride are problematic at high doses.
Fluoride use has been controversial for decades. Yet, fluoride is still included in almost all toothpastes and added to up to 67% of U.S. public drinking water for its debatable role in fighting tooth decay. In 2015, the U.S. government lowered the recommended amount of fluoride added to drinking water for the first time in 50 years due to overexposure in our population.
Most developed countries have banned fluorides in their water. Europe is 98% fluoridation free. Here’s why… an increasing amount of evidence links fluoride to:
- dental fluorosis (fluoride overload on the teeth)
- potential increased cancer risk
- fetal abnormalities
- high hip fracture rates
- pineal gland dysfunction
- fertility problems
- hypothyroidism
How Does Fluoride Affect the Thyroid?
The thyroid gland requires iodine to function properly in its role in governing metabolism. However, if the body is exposed to excess fluoride, the thyroid gland will uptake fluoride instead of iodine. (Fluoride is one of the most electronegative substances known, with a strong tendency to bond to other atoms.)
By displacing critical iodine, fluoride disrupts thyroid function, and can lead to reduced thyroid activity. In fact, fluoride is such an effective anti-thyroid agent that it was prescribed through the 1950’s in Europe and South America to suppress the thyroid in people with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
More proof in the research…
In 2006, the National Research Council found there was substantial evidence that fluoride exposure impacts thyroid health. Newer research from the UK shows that in areas where fluoride levels in the water are higher, the risk of having a high rate of hypothyroidism is 37% greater compared to areas where the water is not flouridated.
This new research, while preliminary, suggests that as many as 15,000 people may be affected by hypothyroidism because of drinking fluoridated water! Here in the U.S., the numbers are likely even higher. Endocrinologists and holistic medical doctors are beginning to suggest that their hypothyroid clients avoid drinking fluoridated water and avoid using fluoride toothpastes.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Thyroid Gland?
It’s a good idea to do some research to find out whether your water supply is fluoridated. The Fluoride Action Network (http://fluoridealert.org/) is an excellent resource to find out about water fluoridation in your community. Non-fluoridated water, either from bottles or water-filtration systems, may be a better option for people prone to thyroid issues who are living in fluoridated areas.
In addition, avoid dental fluoride treatments, and switch to fluoride-free toothpastes. You can support your thyroid gland nutritionally by including plenty of iodine from foods like: organic seaweed, mushrooms, garlic, onions, watercress and wild seafood or fish from uncontaminated waters. Using a thyroid supporting supplement can also be helpful. Further, choose organic whenever possible to avoid fluoride-containing pesticides leeched onto conventionally grown foods.
- About Hypothyroidism. (2016). American Thyroid Association. Thyroid.org. Retrieved from:
- Clark, Jim (2013, March). Electronegativity. Chemguide.co.uk. Retrieved from:
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/basicorg/bonding/eneg.html - Fluoride’s Impact on the Thyroid Gland (2006) National Resource Council. Retrieved from: http://fluoridealert.org/studies/nrc_thyroid/
- Fluoride in Water and Underactive Thyroid Rates (2015, Feb). Web MD. Retrieved from:
http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20150225/fluoride-in-drinking-water-tied-to-higher-rates-of-underactive-thyroid - Mercola, J. (2015, March) Water Fluoridation Promotes Thyroid Impairment, Study Suggests. Mercola.com. Retrieved from: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/03/10/water-fluoridation-thyroid-dysfunction.aspx
- Peckham, S., Lowery D., & Spencer S. (2015) Are fluoride levels in drinking water associated with hypothyroidism prevalence in England? A large observational study of GP practice data and fluoride levels in drinking water. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health doi:10.1136/jech-2014-204971. Retrieved from: http://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2015/02/09/jech-2014-204971
- Thyroid. (2016) FluorideAlert.gov. Retrieved from: http://fluoridealert.org/issues/health/thyroid/
- Sircus, M. (2011, Nov.). Iodine Protects Against Fluoride Toxicity. Dr. Sircus.com. Retrieved from: http://drsircus.com/medicine/iodine/iodine-protects-fluoride-toxicity
Sarah has worked in the field of natural foods and herbalism for over 20 years. She’s a published author, Certified Herbalist, and health and wellness consultant. Sarah Graduated from the Professional Herbal Studies from the East West School of Herbology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Working with women on their journey to wellness is her passion and she loves to share what she has been blessed to learn from naturopaths and other herbalists over the years.
