Olivia Bowen reveals fears of not being able to conceive due to underactive thyroid

‘I’m like “can I have kids?”, because I’ve been so irresponsible’: Olivia Bowen fears she won’t be able to conceive after not taking medication for her underactive thyroid

Olivia Bowen has revealed her fears over if she will be able to conceive as she has not taking her medication for an underactive thyroid. 

The Love Island star, 26, who is married to Alex Bowen, spoke of her concerns on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch Celebrity Surgery on Wednesday and underwent a series of medical tests. 

Olivia said she has been negligent in taking her medication over the past couple of years after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid when she was 10.  

Concerns: Olivia Bowen has revealed her fears over if she will be able to conceive as she has not taking her medication for an underactive thyroid

An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common symptoms are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. 

Speaking to Doctor Javid Abdelmoneim, Olivia said: ‘I got diagnosed when I was 10. Back then I was good with it, I always took my medication. Whereas now, where I’ve got really busy in the last four years, it has taken a bit of a backseat.

‘I’m one of those people that should take it seriously but don’t… I suffer a lot with tiredness, I think that’s my main thing.

The Love Island star, 26, married Alex Bowen two years ago and says they are thinking of trying for a baby next year (pictured last month)

The Love Island star, 26, married Alex Bowen two years ago and says they are thinking of trying for a baby next year (pictured last month)

‘I’m always fatigued, I’ll sleep about 10 hours a night and still feel tired, I’ll want to nap in the day. I can have really awful moods, really low, low moods.’   

An underactive thyroid can prevent ovulation, making it difficult to become pregnant. 

Olivia said: ‘I have a lot of people asking me, “when are you going to have kids, when do you want to get pregnant?”

Family: She said: ‘I know how much Alex wants to have kids, so that’s another reason why I need to be a bit more on it and careful, and make sure I’m giving us both the chances’

‘In the back of my head, I’m like “can I?”, because I’ve been so irresponsible. 

‘I know how much Alex wants to have kids, so that’s another reason why I need to be a bit more on it and careful, and make sure I’m giving us both the chances.’

Doctor Javid arranged a blood test for Olivia and a consultation with women’s health GP Doctor Yash, who confirmed the test shows Olivia’s thyroid levels are low and she must resume taking medication daily.

Advice: Doctor Javid arranged a blood test for Olivia which showed Olivia's thyroid levels are low and she must resume taking medication daily

Advice: Doctor Javid arranged a blood test for Olivia which showed Olivia’s thyroid levels are low and she must resume taking medication daily

Sleepy: Of her symptoms, Olivia said: ‘I’m always fatigued, I’ll sleep about 10 hours a night and still feel tired, I’ll want to nap in the day. I can have really awful moods, really low, low moods’

Speaking candidly to Doctor Yash, Olivia said: ‘My husband and I have been speaking about having a kid next year, possibly. In that case, how does it change?’

On learning she would need to increase her medication dosages during pregnancy and receive close monitoring from medics, Olivia was shocked.

‘I had no idea it was that involved… I’m quite a defiant person. I always told myself, “oh I’m fine, I don’t need”, whereas obviously now I know,’ she said. 

‘Now I know how important it is, I can put that message out to other people and make sure they’re staying on top of it as well, because I know how hard it is and how we sometimes think we don’t need help – but we do.’ 

Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.  

Seeking health advice: Olivia said she has been negligent in taking her medication over the past couple of years after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid when she was 10

Seeking health advice: Olivia said she has been negligent in taking her medication over the past couple of years after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid when she was 10

Underactive thyroid: What you need to know

  • The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in front of the windpipe (trachea)
  • One of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism
  • An underactive thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones
  • Symptoms include tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed 
  • It can be treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones the gland is not making 
  • Undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction can make it difficult to conceive as it can prevent ovulation
  • It is recommended to let your doctor know you want to try to have a baby and ideally have a blood test 

 

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