Are Migraines Connected to the Thyroid?

Thyroid disease affects every major body function, as thyroid hormones help regulate them. When your thyroid hormone levels are off, you may suffer side effects, which include an increased number of migraines.

Facts

• Migraines can occur more often or even intensify if you have thyroid disease, according to Headache Expert, a site dedicated to the treatment of headaches.

Cause

• Having thyroid disease does not directly cause migraines, Headache Expert explains. Instead, the excessive amounts or lack of thyroid hormones makes it difficult to treat migraines.

Effects

• Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid, can make migraines worse, especially if you are more prone to them to begin with.

Hormone Types

• Women are more likely to have thyroid disease and intense migraines associated with it, due to different hormone levels, according to Headache Expert.

Prevention/Solution

• See your doctor for blood work to evaluate whether your thyroid treatment needs adjustment. The correct treatment should help alleviate the intensity of your migraines.