Beth@DaoLifeWellness

Essential Supplements for Blood Sugar Control During IUI & IVF

The Rise of Low Carb and Sugar Balance Recommendations in Fertility Cases

Many times, a reproductive endocrinologist may suggest getting blood sugar and insulin levels under control while trying to conceive. This is because maintaining stable blood sugar levels can significantly improve the chances of successful conception and a healthy pregnancy.

Poorly controlled blood sugar can negatively affect hormone balance. It can also harm egg quality and implantation. These factors are crucial for a successful IVF journey.

Here is a list of safe supplements known to help with blood sugar issues. It includes instructions on how to take them safely while trying to get pregnant through IVF.

✅ Safe to Use During IUI/IVF

Although these supplements have been found to be generally safe, consult with a licensed herbal specialist before jumping in. You may pick a couple of these to use with guidance. Be cautious not to buy all of them at once and start taking them all!! This is a safety check list. Not a diagnosis, prescription or recommendation sheet.

Myo‑Inositol + D‑Chiro‑Inositol

  • Benefit: Improves insulin sensitivity, ovarian response in IVF, fertility in PCOS and poor responders ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com
  • Safety: Safe during IVF and pregnancy; best for classical PCOS phenotype centerforhumanreprod.com
  • Caution: May reduce androgen levels—avoid if androgen is already low; monitor with hormonal labs.

N‑Acetylcysteine (NAC)

Vitamin B6

  • Benefit: Regulates menstrual cycle/hormones, improves egg quality, supports mood and nausea during pregnancy
  • Safety: Safe in pregnancy; may reduce blood levels of anticonvulsants (not typically IVF‑related) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

  • Benefit: Supports egg quality, improves IVF outcomes (more mature eggs, higher live birth rates) reddit.com+8pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+8preventmiscarriage.com+8
  • Safety: Generally considered safe preconception; limited data in pregnancy—some sources advise avoidance
  • Recommendation: Use until embryo transfer; pause during confirmed pregnancy unless provider approves.

Chromium Picolinate

  • Benefit: Enhances insulin sensitivity; no widespread interaction concerns noted.
  • Safety: Generally safe during IVF; limited direct data—monitor blood sugar and balance with fertility protocols.

Rhodiola Rosea

Vitamin K₂

  • Benefit: Supports bone health and improves insulin sensitivity. No specific IVF conflicts found.

Iron (or IV)

L‑Theanine

Vitamin B‑complex

Alpha‑Lipoic Acid (ALA)

⚠️ Use Pre-IUI/IVF Only; Pause after IUI or Embryo Transfer

Berberine

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)

DHEA (I usually don’t recommend this one at all)

  • Benefit: Improves ovarian reserve and response in diminished ovarian reserve
  • Concerns: May raise androgen levels, interfere with hormone-sensitive conditions, and assay measurements reddit.com+15pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15mskcc.org+15. Interesting enough, this study confirmed what I noticed in patient’s who took this while trying to conceive. It messes up your “yang” phase. I took my client’s off it. Glad to see my clinical observations were confirmed with research.
  • Guideline: Take 6–10 weeks before IVF, stop with initiation of stimulation meds, only if prescribed by your RE. If unsure, schedule a phone consult.

Ashwagandha

GABA Supplements

  • Benefit: Can reduce anxiety.
  • Concerns: May interfere with embryo implantation; receptors present in oocytes/embryo health.com+11webmd.com+11nccih.nih.gov+11
  • Guideline: Strongly avoid during IVF cycle and early pregnancy.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Summary Table

SupplementSafe During IVF?Notes
Rhodiola✅ YesAvoid late-stage use if insomnia occurs
Vitamin K₂✅ YesNo known conflicts
Iron✅ YesEnsure medical supervision
L‑Theanine✅ YesGood for relaxation
B‑complex✅ YesUse methylated forms
Magnesium✅ YesMonitor GI effects
ALA✅ YesMonitor mild GI side effects
Milk Thistle✅ Pre-IVF onlyPause at embryo transfer
Maca✅ Pre-IVF onlyAvoid after embryo transfer
Berberine⚠️ Pre-IUI/IVF onlyStop at stimulation
DHEA⚠️ Pre-IUI/IVF onlyStop at stimulation
Ashwagandha⚠️ Pre-IUI/IVF short-termAvoid post-transfer
GABA❌ AvoidUse alternative anxiety support

List of Timing of Supplements with Transfer Schedule

  1. Pre-IUI/IVF (Start 6–8 weeks prior): Safe:
    • Rhodiola,
    • Maca,
    • K₂,
    • Iron (if low),
    • L‑Theanine,
    • B-complex,
    • Magnesium,
    • Milk Thistle,
    • ALA, and/or
    • Ashwagandha (short-term only).
    • Avoid GABA.
  2. IUI/IVF Cycle Start: Cease
    • DHEA,
    • Ashwagandha,
    • Maca,
    • Milk Thistle on stimulation start.
    • Continue stress and metabolic support.
  3. Post-IUI or Embryo Transfer: Continue
    • Magnesium,
    • K₂,
    • B-complex,
    • L-Theanine,
    • Iron (if approved);
    • pause others until confirmed pregnancy.

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