Can Thyroid Issues Cause Migraines?

What the study says

Recent research suggests a strong connection between migraines and hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. It’s unclear if there are common factors leading to both conditions or if they directly influence each other.

In a study conducted in 2021 with 100 participants in India, it was found that those with migraines were significantly more likely to have thyroid disorders and deficient thyroid hormone levels compared to a control group with non-migraine headaches.

A more extensive study from 2016 followed 8,412 participants for over 20 years and discovered that people with a history of migraines had a 41 percent higher risk of developing hypothyroidism. Those with other types of headaches had a 21 percent increased risk.

An earlier study in 2013 looked at the relationship between different headaches and thyroid disease in 3,727 participants. The results showed that 3 percent of those with migraines and 1.6 percent with tension headaches also had hypothyroidism. Interestingly, in this group, hypothyroidism tended to occur after the onset of migraine episodes in the majority (96 percent).

The 2013 study concluded that hypothyroidism is more prevalent among those with migraines than in the general population. The researchers suggested that hypothyroidism should be considered as one of the various conditions that can coexist with migraines, even though the whole nature of this connection is not entirely understood.

What are the risk factors?

Certain things may increase your chances of getting migraines or hypothyroidism. Some factors are common to both conditions.

Migraine Risk Factors:

1. Gender: Women are more than twice as likely to experience migraines than men, possibly due to hormonal influences.

2. Genetics: Your genes play a role, and specific gene mutations have been linked to migraines.

3. Smoking: Smoking can increase the likelihood of having a migraine.

4. Stress: High-stress levels or recent stressful events significantly trigger migraines.

5. Race: Studies show that certain racial groups, like American Indians or Alaska Native people, have higher rates of migraines, which may be linked to societal factors rather than biology.

For migraines and headaches, other risk factors include:

• Having a family income below $35,000 per year
• Being unemployed
• Being between 18 and 45 years old
• Being an older, disabled adult

Hypothyroidism Risk Factors:

1. Gender: Women are more prone to thyroid issues than men.

2. Age: People over 60 have a higher likelihood of thyroid disease.

3. Genetics: A family history or previous thyroid problems increases the risk.

4. Past treatments: Radiation, radioactive iodine, certain medications, or thyroid surgery can raise the risk.

5. Recent pregnancy: Giving birth in the last six months may increase the risk of hypothyroidism.

It’s important to note that some risk factors, primarily related to race or ethnicity, are not biological but stem from an unequal society. Prejudice and discrimination can contribute to these risk factors by affecting people’s access to healthcare.

Symptoms

Understanding the signs of migraine and thyroid disease is crucial for both you and your doctor to evaluate your health properly.

Migraine Symptoms:

Migraine is not just a severe headache; it’s a complex neurological disease that goes beyond head pain. While headaches are a part of it, there are other symptoms. A migraine typically brings about intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head. As per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, additional symptoms include visual disturbances (aura), heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, and nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or vertigo. Unlike regular headaches, migraines involve a range of neurological issues.

Other Primary Headaches:

Traditional primary headaches, such as tension or cluster headaches, usually cause aching pain or pressure in the head, face, or upper neck. These differ from migraines in terms of symptoms and how they manifest.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

Identifying hypothyroidism can be challenging, as its symptoms often resemble those of other health conditions. Getting a thyroid panel test from your doctor to check hormone levels is essential, even if you don’t exhibit every symptom. Common signs of hypothyroidism, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, include weight gain, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, sensitivity to cold temperatures, dry hair, irregular menstrual cycles, fertility issues, depression, and slowed heart rate.

Causes

Migraine Triggers:

Migraines happen due to a mix of your genes and the things around you. Certain factors, called triggers, can lead to migraine episodes, and these triggers can be different for each person. Some common triggers include stress, lack of sleep, bright lights, loud sounds, certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, certain medications, and hormonal changes. To figure out your triggers, doctors suggest keeping a diary of what you eat and do so you can avoid them in the future.

Causes of Hypothyroidism:

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid, a gland in your body, doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. This can happen for various reasons, such as inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis), an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, being born with the condition (congenital hypothyroidism), having the thyroid removed surgically, or undergoing radiation therapy for thyroid cancer. When your body can’t produce enough hormones from the thyroid, it leads to hypothyroidism.

Takeaway

Migraine and hypothyroidism are both widespread, long-lasting health issues. Studies show that people who have migraines are more likely to also have hypothyroidism compared to the general population, but we’re not exactly sure why this happens.

In simpler terms, having migraines and hypothyroidism together is pretty standard, and it seems like having migraines might increase the chances of getting hypothyroidism.

Interestingly, a medication called levothyroxine, used for treating thyroid problems, might help reduce migraine symptoms in some cases. But be cautious because taking too much of this medication can lead to more headaches.

If you’re someone who experiences migraines and worries about having hypothyroidism, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can do a simple blood test to check how your thyroid is doing.

Disclaimer:

Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Corrections to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products you obtain through this article or others.