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Hypothyroidism and migraine headaches
Migraines are co-morbid with several other conditions, including hypothyroidism. Migraines can both be caused by stress and cause stress; and stress affects the entire body, especially endocrine function. Therefore, a connection between migraines and hypothyroidism is not out of the realm of possibility.
Migraine and tension type headache (TTH) disorders are among the top six most prevalent disorders and the third cause of disability worldwide in individuals under the age of 50 with a major impact on activities of daily living and quality of life.Tension-type headache (TTH) is defined as a mild to moderate band-like pressure headache associated with some somatic and emotional symptoms. The frequency and duration of TH varied from infrequent episodes of a headache to frequent, long-lasting, or even chronic .Typical characteristics of migraine headache are unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity, and association with nausea and/or photophobia and phonophobia
Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism affects 0.1-2% of the general population. Recent supporting literature has shown that not only is migraine more common in hypothyroidism, occurring in approximately one-third of the patients. but also, that treatment with thyroid hormone medication can result in a decrease in headache frequency by almost 78%.
Many studies defined a bidirectional relationship between migraine, TH, and hypothyroidism including underlying pathophysiological aspects.
studies investigated comorbidity between migraine and thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, and in the majority of them a positive association was demonstrated. One study found that headache, and particularly migraine, may increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism. However up till now, there is contradictory data about these relationship
Prevalence of hypothyroidism and migraine in men and women
Women are 18 times more likely to have hypothyroidism than men, according to the Society for Endocrinology. Women are three times as likely to experience migraines than men (18% versus 6%, respectively, according to research from John Hopkins University). Within this population of women, around 55% of migraine events are related to menstrual periods.
The fact that migraines can persist well after menopause substantiates hypothyroidism as a key contributing factor to migraine risk. however, there is also a strong argument that migraines may predispose a patient to hypothyroidism in return.
What is the connection between migraine headaches and hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroid symptoms tend to cascade from metabolic effects to brain function, and finally to hormone regulation. One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is a headache.
Since there is a connection between migraines and hormone function, there is a likelihood that suffering from migraines can eventually impact the thyroid, a hormone-producing gland.
Another symptom of hypothyroidism is edema, which is the excessive accumulation of fluid in human tissue. Edema is often a prelude to migraines or prolonged headaches, adding another link between the conditions.
Are Migraine Headaches a Hypothyroidism Risk Factor?
Some researchers have inferred that a history of headaches and migraines may, in fact, predispose a person to hypothyroidism. According to a study published in the journal Headache, among 8,412 people medically monitored over a 20-year period, those with pre-existing headache disorders had a 21 percent increased risk of new-onset hypothyroidism compared to people with no history of headaches.
While this in no way suggests that headaches are the cause of hypothyroidism, it does imply that a history of headaches may place you at greater risk of hypothyroidism.
Migraine Headaches and hypothyroidism Treatment
Co-treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism and migraines seems to be more effective than treatment of symptomatic hypothyroidism. Treatment with levothyroxine can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
It is also important to note that headache is a common side effect of levothyroxine use. In people with moderate to severe hypothyroidism, who would inherently require higher doses, the drug may, in fact, trigger headaches or worsen existing symptoms. In such cases, headache or migraine is diagnosed as a separate disorder and you should seek medical attention.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31310335/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/migraine-headaches-thyroid-disease-1719610
https://ejnpn.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41983-020-00208-w
https://blog.themigrainereliefcenter.com/can-hypothyroidism-cause-migraines
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