Those who suffer from headaches and migraines would no doubt be thrilled to point to their thyroid as the source of all of this pain and discomfort as an answer for why headaches occur. As in much of medicine, further research needs to be done to solve all the links between the thyroid and migraines relationship.
Although many research studies have focused on this association, there is still much more to be discovered. However, what we do know so far indicates a strong correlation between the two.
A Word About Your Thyroid Gland
According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, approximately one in twelve Americans who are age twelve or older suffer from hypothyroidism, which can be a cause of the metabolic slowdown. Some generalizations can be made, such as that it is more likely to affect women than men. Thyroid disorders increase in the over-sixty population.
Also, this thyroid problem is common in families, meaning that if one of your close genetic family members have hypothyroidism, you may be more likely to have it too.
Headaches and Thyroid Function
One of the questions that need to be definitively answered has to do with cause and effect concerning the thyroid and migraines relationship. Are people who suffer from migraines are more likely to have thyroid problems, or is it that those people who have thyroid issues are more susceptible to migraines?
The International Headache Society provides further statistics to demonstrate the pivotal link between the thyroid and migraines relationship, noting that of those people with hypothyroidism, approximately 30% of them suffer from headaches attributed to this disorder.
At this time, causation has yet to be determined; there is a strong history of migraines for this population.
The Need for Future Research
The sophistication of lab technology, synthetic cells, genetic therapy, and sophisticated computer programs have been pivotal to the many medical advances in diverse diseases that have occurred in recent years.
Many varied headache and migraine studies are currently underway so new treatments can provide better assistance to those suffering from these disorders.
While hypothyroidism-connected headaches may sound to some like merely a nuisance, in reality, they can be quite uncomfortable or painful and disrupt the function of ordinary daily activities. Even though these are not necessarily linked to vomiting and/or nausea, the reality is that in many cases they do indeed come in tandem, according to the International Headache Society.
These findings are significant and show the need for further studies to substantiate and explore this association. Future studies are also critical to formulating the best treatment plans for those suffering from these conditions.
According to a recent study, treatment for hypothyroidism has proved to decrease how often headaches occur in a patient.
Conversely, further medical studies on this topic may find that an increase in hypothyroidism may correlate with an increased frequency of headaches. Thus, there is a strong need for future research in this field that can then help develop additional protocols for those
afflicted. In the meantime, current thyroid treatments may, therefore, work to reduce the severity and incidence of headaches and migraines.
Treating the Thyroid Disease
One of the most typical thyroid treatments today is a medication called levothyroxine. According to the Neurology Times, a study recently presented at the 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Technology concluded that this drug decreased both the severity as well as the monthly headache frequency in hypothyroid patients. This promising research serves to give hope to both medical professionals and patients alike.
Tired of Headache Pain? Contact National Headache Institute Today!
If you suffer from chronic migraines and are desperate to find some relief from the pain, contact the National Headache Institute to set up an appointment so you can discuss your options with a neurologist. We have three locations to better serve you!
After assessing the severity of your migraines, determining your triggers, and accounting for your personal risk factors, we can help you decide on the best treatment option to improve your quality
of life.
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