Unexplained Infertility: 6 Factors to Investigate with Dr. Jessica Christie

In this episode, Dr. Kate Kresge is joined by Dr. Jessica Christie, a naturopathic doctor, clinical nutritionist, and integrative fertility expert, to talk about a diagnosis that frustrates patients and practitioners alike: unexplained infertility. Dr. Christie reframes "unexplained" as "we haven't found the root cause yet," then walks through six often-overlooked contributors: subclinical thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity, inflammation, dysbiosis, nutrient gaps, and environmental toxins. She shares the labs she runs, safe detox strategies while trying to conceive, and hopeful patient stories.

3 Key Takeaways

• "Normal" thyroid labs deserve a second look. Subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity can affect ovulation and fertility and may go undiagnosed for years, so TSH, free T4, and thyroid antibodies belong in the workup. (Cho 2015)
• The gut may be part of the fertility picture. Women with unexplained infertility and recurrent implantation failure showed lower gut microbial diversity than fertile controls in a small study. (Patel 2022)
• Nutrient status is a modifiable factor. Restoring micronutrients to recommended levels before conception may support fertility, including a shorter time to pregnancy. (Schaefer 2019)

Guest: Dr. Jessica Christie, ND, CNS, is a licensed naturopathic doctor, certified nutrition specialist, and clinical director of Magnolia Integrative Fertility. She blends functional medicine and evidence-based nutrition to help patients get to the root of reproductive challenges, and serves as Magazine Manager at Fullscript, where she translates complex research into practical insights for practitioners.

Clinical FAQ

What does Dr. Christie include in an unexplained infertility workup?

A full thyroid panel with antibodies, antiphospholipid and ovarian antibodies, inflammatory markers such as CRP and IL-6, key nutrients (vitamin D, B12, folate, iron, zinc, selenium), stool testing, vaginal swabs, and environmental toxin testing as indicated.

Which nutrients come up most often?

She focuses on vitamin D, B12, folate, iron and ferritin, zinc, and selenium, testing first and repleting based on results. (Schaefer 2019)

Is it safe to "detox" while trying to conceive?

Dr. Christie favors gentle strategies, like reducing exposures and supporting the body's own detox pathways with fiber and probiotics, over aggressive cleanses. (ACOG 2021) Her motto: progress, not perfection.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome, Dr. Jessica Christie

03:05 – What "unexplained infertility" really means

06:36 – Six hidden contributors to infertility

12:24 – Subclinical hypothyroidism: labs and ranges

17:35 – Autoimmune markers, implantation, and miscarriage

23:15 – IL-6 and chronic inflammation

25:33 – Gut and vaginal dysbiosis and how it's tested

29:27 – Top nutrient deficiencies to test and replete

34:28 – Environmental toxins and how to reduce them

41:04 – Ideal lab panel for unexplained infertility

44:31 – Safe detox strategies while trying to conceive

51:03 – Rapid fire: supplements, myths, and labs

Ready to elevate your practice? This episode is sponsored by Fullscript, a comprehensive care delivery platform designed to support whole-person, integrative healthcare. Fullscript helps clinicians bring supplement dispensing, lab ordering, and patient education into one centralized workflow. For more practitioner education on supplements, nutrition, and evidence-informed clinical care, visit Fullscript Academy at academy.fullscript.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fullscript or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. For your safety, always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.