Miscarriage Is Not Always “Unexplained”
When miscarriage happens, it’s often labeled “bad luck” or “unexplained.” But the truth is, many miscarriages have underlying causes that are rarely investigated until women face multiple losses.
Three of the most overlooked contributors to pregnancy loss are:
- Inflammation
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Blood clotting disorders
Each of these can quietly affect fertility, implantation, and early pregnancy survival. By addressing them early, women can improve their chances of carrying to term—naturally or with assisted reproductive technology.
Inflammation and Fertility
Inflammation is your body’s natural defense mechanism, but when it becomes chronic, it can interfere with reproductive health.
How inflammation impacts fertility:
- Disrupts hormone signaling between the brain and ovaries
- Affects the quality of eggs and sperm
- Increases uterine natural killer (NK) cell activity, which can attack an embryo
- Impairs implantation and early placental development
Miscarriage causes linked to inflammation:
- Autoimmune conditions like lupus or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, or undiagnosed food sensitivities (symptoms can include, migraines, gas, bloating and acne)
- High levels of homocysteine or C-reactive protein (inflammatory markers)
What to test: (Discounted links to Ulta labs included since many of these aren't covered by insurance. Or use Erica15 for 15% off any lab service)
Thyroid Miscarriage Connection
The thyroid is one of the most underappreciated glands in reproductive health. Even mild dysfunction can increase miscarriage risk.
Why thyroid matters in fertility:
- Regulates ovulation and menstrual cycles
- Supports progesterone production
- Impacts embryo implantation and early brain development
How thyroid issues contribute to miscarriage:
- Low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) reduce endometrial receptivity
- Elevated thyroid antibodies (autoimmune Hashimoto’s) can trigger immune rejection of pregnancy
- “Normal” lab ranges are not the same as optimal fertility ranges
What to test: (also called an extended thyroid panel)
- TSH (target closer to 1–2, not just “under 4.5”)
- Free T3 and Free T4
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid antibodies (TPO and TgAb)
Women with thyroid antibodies have a significantly higher miscarriage risk—even when standard thyroid hormones appear normal.
Blood Clotting and Miscarriage
Healthy pregnancy depends on steady blood flow between mother and baby. When clotting factors are off balance, they can block blood supply to the placenta or prevent implantation altogether.
Common clotting miscarriage causes:
- Prothrombin gene mutation
Symptoms aren’t always obvious. Many women only discover these issues after recurrent pregnancy loss.
What to test:
- Genetic clotting panel (Factor V Leiden, Prothrombin, MTHFR)
- Antiphospholipid antibodies
- Homocysteine levels
Why it matters:
If diagnosed, treatment can be as simple as adding methylated folate, low-dose aspirin, or blood-thinning medications—interventions that have helped countless women carry to term.
If diagnosed, treatment can be as simple as adding methylated folate, low-dose aspirin, or blood-thinning medications—interventions that have helped countless women carry to term.
Why These Root Causes Are Overlooked
Conventional medicine often waits until women experience three miscarriages before investigating deeper causes. This approach leaves many women grieving multiple preventable losses. and many, many times unable to move forward).
The reasons these causes are overlooked:
- Labs are ordered based on acute illness standards, not fertility optimization
- “Normal” lab ranges don’t always equal “fertility-friendly” levels
- Specialists focus on their silo (OB/GYN, endocrinology, hematology) instead of connecting the dots
This fragmented medical care system leads many women to hear: “It’s just bad luck. Try again.”
Taking Back Control of Your Fertility
The good news? You don’t have to wait for another miscarriage to seek answers.
Steps you can take:
- Ask for comprehensive testing – thyroid, inflammation, and clotting factors.
- Consider ordering your own lab testing based on symptoms
- Optimize lifestyle – anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction, toxin minimization.
- Work with a fertility coach – someone who understands how to connect all the dots and guide next steps and can collaborate with you medical team to fill in gaps of care they just don't have time to address.
The Bottom Line
Miscarriage is not always random. Inflammation, thyroid dysfunction, and blood clotting disorders are three of the most overlooked miscarriage causes—yet they are also three of the most testable and treatable.
By uncovering these hidden factors and addressing them, women can transform their fertility journeys, reduce miscarriage risk, and move toward the healthy pregnancy they deserve.
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