Infertility And Celiac

[Lisa Smith]

Hi everyone,

A little history...

DH and I have been ttc for 3 1/2 years. I am 36, DH is 46. Normal periods (aside from painful menstual cramps and pain at ovulation), high FSH, no other diagnosed reason for infertility. Went through VERY emotional IVF cycle last fall. Total failure. Out of 7 eggs retrieved, not even 1 of them fertilized. Never even made it to transfer.

Decided after a lot of soul-searching that we would not try IVF again, and instead would begin looking at adoption. Spent the last year trying to build up our finances again, so that we can begin the process.

Finally diagnosed one week ago with Celiac, and although I am trying not to get my hopes up that this may be the reason for the infertility, it's hard not to think about the possibility.

Questions: Several others have written that because of the Celiac, they did not have periods, and this is why they could not become pregnant. What if I've always had "normal" periods? I definitely ovulate. RE says it's just that my eggs are "bad" (decided this because of high FSH levels). Could Gluten be affecting the eggs themselves? Or could my eggs be okay, and the Gluten is instead affecting my FSH levels? Is it possible that I am getting pregnant and the Gluten is causing VERY early miscarriages? I feel as though my IVF cycle was doomed from the beginning because I was eating so "healthy" throughout -- you know, TONS of whole wheat, grains, taking wheatgrass pills to lower my FSH!! I had no idea at the time that I was Celiac. I thought I was doing all the "right" things. Ironic, huh? Is it possible that that's why my cycle failed so miserably?

These are just a FEW of the questions I have. Don't know if anyone can answer any of these, but ANY help or advice would be SO appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Lisa

[Ursa Major]

Hi Lisa, and welcome to our board. The answer to your question is, yes, it is entirely possible that the celiac disease is the cause for your failure to conceive (or have early miscarriages, whatever the case may be).

I've also always had normal periods (if you want to call PMS, terrible cramps, very heavy bleeding normal), and I'd conceive very easily. Unfortunately, my babies were never safe until I was five months pregnant, because I'd ALWAYS get periods of heavy bleeding during early pregnancy. I am aware of eight miscarriages (some officially confirmed, others very obvious to me, and my doctor agreed that I was probably right), but very likely had more, were I wasn't really sure.

My mother, who had all the same symptoms as me, and I am 100% sure she also had celiac disease, had the same problem. She had at least six miscarriages. My sister (who has no children), had the same problem.

celiac disease is known to cause infertility and miscarriages. I've read about many cases like yours and mine, were women who couldn't conceive or kept having miscarriages had a healthy baby within a year or so of going gluten-free.

I did manage to carry five healthy children to term (even though I was awfully sick the whole nine months of every pregnancy), so I am very blessed anyway. It is too late to find out if the gluten-free diet would make any difference, because obviously, I am too old.

One theory of why women with celiac disease can't carry babies is, that they are too malnourished to be healthy enough for pregnancy. That is a valid thought I believe. By the way, celiac disease also causes infertility in men!

I hope you'll find that the gluten-free diet will be all you need to finally have that baby (or babies) you want!

[Lisa Smith]

Thanks Ursula...I appreciate your words of encouragement.

Lisa

Hi Lisa, and welcome to our board. The answer to your question is, yes, it is entirely possible that the celiac disease is the cause for your failure to conceive (or have early miscarriages, whatever the case may be).

I've also always had normal periods (if you want to call PMS, terrible cramps, very heavy bleeding normal), and I'd conceive very easily. Unfortunately, my babies were never safe until I was five months pregnant, because I'd ALWAYS get periods of heavy bleeding during early pregnancy. I am aware of eight miscarriages (some officially confirmed, others very obvious to me, and my doctor agreed that I was probably right), but very likely had more, were I wasn't really sure.

My mother, who had all the same symptoms as me, and I am 100% sure she also had celiac disease, had the same problem. She had at least six miscarriages. My sister (who has no children), had the same problem.

celiac disease is known to cause infertility and miscarriages. I've read about many cases like yours and mine, were women who couldn't conceive or kept having miscarriages had a healthy baby within a year or so of going gluten-free.

I did manage to carry five healthy children to term (even though I was awfully sick the whole nine months of every pregnancy), so I am very blessed anyway. It is too late to find out if the gluten-free diet would make any difference, because obviously, I am too old.

One theory of why women with celiac disease can't carry babies is, that they are too malnourished to be healthy enough for pregnancy. That is a valid thought I believe. By the way, celiac disease also causes infertility in men!

I hope you'll find that the gluten-free diet will be all you need to finally have that baby (or babies) you want!

[Melzo]

I wish that doctors would test for Celiac Disease immediately when woman show signs of infertility or miscarriages. It really should be the first thing they do.

This of course does not negate the fact that the man could be the problem. However, I am sure it would help many women avoid the stress, hurt, and grief that they would go through otherwise.

[Alexandra]

Lisa,

Another thing that might be worth getting tested for (if you haven't already) is anti-thyroid antibodies. These correlate with various kinds of fertility problems (including maybe high FSH) and are more common in celiacs than in the general population. New research is suggesting their negative impact on fertility and pregnancy may be treatable. And they can be detected through a simple blood test -- any doctor can order it for you. If you do get tested and it turns out you have them, I'd suggest seeing a thyroid specialist and letting him/her know you are ttc. I found my thyroid doc (whom I like a lot) using this website: Open Original Shared Link.

Good luck to you. I am sorry to read about the struggles you've had and hope you'll find a way to build the family of your dreams.

-- Alexandra

[Guest nini]

I had several miscarriages and a very complicated pregnancy before I was dx'ed with Celiac. I def. think there is a connection.

[twtums]

I definelty think gluten is incredibly related to infertility! I too had very regular, horribly painful periods. Have you had a lap? I do believe I had to have the endometriosis cleaned out to become pregnant but without the gluten free diet, I don't think pregnancy would have happened. The first period I had after starting gluten free was actually tolerable, I could make it with just some Ibuprofen, the second period I didn't need any Ibuprofen (I usually took I think it was 36 pills per period!!). The surgery actually had made them worse . The third period didn't happen, I was pregnant! Looking back I can see how improved I was on the diet from it.

I am a little nervous about how soon I did get pregnant after reading the risks of miscarriage. That is scary as well. I'm not sure about the FSH but I do believe that hormones play a huge part. When we aren't getting the nutrition we need, none of our body can work right. To me it makes sense that the hormones won't be working right too.

I'm so sorry you are going through this.