Migraine and thyroid disease

The thyroid function test is in the initial battery of blood tests we order on all our headache patients (along with RBC magnesium, vitamins D, B12, folate, and others). Having either an overactive or underactive thyroid is known to worsen migraine headaches.

A new study published by Indian researchers confirmed that treating an underactive thyroid improves headaches. The researchers studied 87 headache patients with a mild decrease in thyroid function. Half of them were prescribed thyroid medicine and the other half received a placebo. Correcting thyroid deficiency improved headache frequency, severity, and disability (MIDAS score) at three months of follow-up in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.

The conclusion was that it is logical to check thyroid function status in patients presenting with migraine headaches.

Thyroid function can sometimes decline precipitously and cause worsening of headaches without any other symptoms. This can happen after delivering a baby and the cause is often misinterpreted. Lack of sleep, stress, hormonal changes (female hormones, not thyroid hormone), occlusion of veins inside the head, and even stroke are suspected.  All those conditions can cause headaches after the delivery. But we should not forget to check the thyroid.