Dr. Weyrich's Naturopathic Functional Medicine Notebook is a collection of information on topics of interest to Dr. Weyrich that may be of interest to the world wide audience. Due to limitations of time, not all information that Dr. Weyrich knows or would like to further research is published here. Dr. Weyrich welcomes financial contributions to support specific research topics, as well as copies of non-free access journal articles for him to review on a topic. Constructive criticism is also welcome.

Overview of Infertility

Infertility is an increasing problem in developed countries. Various reasons have been advanced, including environmental toxins, increased stress, and even genetic damage to the mother's mitochondrial DNA. In some instances problems can be attributed to the father, while in other cases the problem can be attributed to the mother. This web page addresses only a few of the potential causes, and treatments that Dr. Weyrich is prepared to provide.

Complimentary and alternative treatments for infertility that are considered below include:

  • Optimize Thyroid Function (female infertility)
  • Low Dose Naltrexone (female infertility)

Etiology of Infertility

In some cases, infertility has been attributed to hypothyroidism of the mother, which may be further attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction [Starr2005, pg 60].

Male infertility has also been attributed to hypothyroidism [Starr2005, pg 147], [ Kharrazian2010, pg 10].

Some practitioners have noted an association with inflammatory process mediated by homocysteine [Rogers2008, pg 9]. Note that the common diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) increases homocysteine levels [Westphal2003].

Differential Diagnosis of Infertility

Treatment of Infertility

Please see conventional, complimentary and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed below.

Naturopathic, Complimentary and Alternative Treatments

Optimize Thyroid Function

In the event that the mother has a low basal body temperature (below 97.8 degrees when measured in the axilla), a trial of thyroid replacement with a desiccated thyroid or synthetic T4/T3 blend has often been found to result in pregnancy within several cycles [Starr2005, pg 60], [ Barnes1976], [Hertoghe1914].

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

[LdnResearchTrust_conditions] reports that female infertility is a condition that LDN could help. Dr. Weyrich has been trained in the use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). However, Dr. Weyrich has not treated any cases of female infertility with LDN.

Please see What is Low Dose Naltrexone? for more information.

References for Infertility