Health Topics

• Women's Health
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• Men's Health
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• Infertility
• Infertility Clincal Services and Patient Support
• Preconception Care
• Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Management
• Prenatal Vitamins and Folic Acid
• Alcohol Use and Smoking
• Normal Conception
• Medical Disease Management
• Environmental Exposures
• Preimplementation Genetic Screening and Testing
• Stress Management
• FAQ
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• Transplant Care
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• HIV/AIDS
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• Dermatology
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• Pain Management
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• Pediatrics
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Medical Disease Management

Medical conditions and complications such as diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid conditions, and high blood pressure should be treated and kept under control both before and during pregnancy.

It’s especially important to keep thyroid levels under control when trying to conceive. Thyroid conditions are hormone imbalances that, untreated, can interfere with conception. Low levels of thyroid hormone can hinder ovulation and there is sometimes a link between hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid condition) and fertility. Additionally, certain autoimmune or pituitary disorders are underlying causes of hypothyroidism and may lead to impaired fertility too.

Your health care provider should work closely with you on the status of your health throughout the preconception and pregnancy process. It’s important for him or her to take a very careful history of your medical conditions and family history to obtain a complete picture of any risk factors you face to ensure proper treatment and care during pregnancy.

It is also good to ask your doctor about whether or not the medications you are taking are safe to continue during pregnancy, and whether or not they may need to be changed or adjusted.

Learn more:
Thyroid Conditions and Pregnancy