Your thyroid, that little butterfly-shaped gland fluttering just above your collarbone, plays an important role in your everyday health. As a hormone-producing gland, it is responsible for controlling many of the body’s functions related to metabolism, including heart rate and calorie burning. When it’s working properly, you aren’t likely to notice it as you feel great and can take on life’s daily challenges. However, when beset with problems, this little member of the endocrine system can make your life miserable. One of the conditions that affects it is hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can have many different symptoms, and some people who have hypothyroidism may also have a headache disorder. We’ll take a closer look at the research behind this, but first, let’s look at the causes and some of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition that exists when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. More common in women than in men, its causes include thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s disease, or nodules on the thyroid. It may also be congenital, or occur if all or part of the thyroid has been surgically removed or treated with radiation therapy. It can cause fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, depression, joint pain, and a slowed heart rate, among other conditions.
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| Hypothyroidism. Source: medlineplus.gov |
Hypothyroidism, Migraines, and Other Headache Disorders
To add to the conditions associated with hypothyroidism, a recently published study may have found a connection between headache disorders and hypothyroidism. In a twenty year study of 8400 patients, researchers discovered that those with pre-diagnosed headache disorders were 21 percent more likely to have hypothyroidism, and those with a migraine disorder faced a 41 percent greater risk.
The study does not demonstrate a true cause-and-effect relationship, nor does it suggest that migraines or headaches can be cured with thyroid treatments. However, because of the increased risk factor, the researchers who conducted the study are recommending that doctors test their patients who suffer from migraines or other headache disorders for hypothyroidism so that it can be properly treated if identified.
