Can Hypothyroidism Cause Headaches? Possible Links and Treatments

Maybe you’ve only recently learned that you have hypothyroidism, and now you’re starting to connect the dots between your diagnosis and symptoms that never had a clear explanation. Hypothyroidism can affect the body in many ways, and no two people experience it in the same way. If you’ve also been dealing with recurring headaches, you may be wondering if there is a connection.

If hypothyroidism is contributing to your headaches, getting your thyroid hormone levels under control may be an important part of reducing them. At the same time, headaches can have many different causes, so managing them may also require treatments or lifestyle changes that address the headaches themselves.

In this guide, we’ll explain the possible connection between hypothyroidism and headaches, why some people with hypothyroidism may be more susceptible to migraines, and what you can do to manage both conditions.

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Possibly. Research has found an association between hypothyroidism and headaches, particularly migraines, although researchers are still working to understand exactly why the two conditions are connected.

A recent systematic review of 29 studies found evidence supporting a relationship between headache disorders and hypothyroidism. In one study included in the review, about one-third of people with recent-onset hypothyroidism reported headaches, and 92% of those headaches had characteristics more consistent with migraine. Another study found hypothyroidism in 30.8% of people with migraines compared with 10% of healthy controls.

These findings don't mean that hypothyroidism is responsible for every headache someone with the condition experiences. Headaches have many potential causes, including stress, dehydration, sleep changes, hormonal changes, and medications. However, recurring headaches alongside other symptoms of an underactive thyroid may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

If you’re managing hypothyroidism along with recurring headaches, HealthierU can help you look at the bigger picture. Dr. Donna Sergi offers personalized nutrition and lifestyle guidance designed to complement your thyroid care and support your overall well-being.

Researchers don't yet have a single explanation for why hypothyroidism and headaches frequently occur together. Thyroid hormones influence many processes throughout the body, so changes in thyroid function may affect some of the same systems involved in headache and migraine disorders.

Several possible factors may help explain the connection.

Hypothyroidism develops when the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism and influence functions throughout the body, so inadequate levels can cause symptoms ranging from fatigue and cold sensitivity to muscle aches and cognitive changes.

Researchers are continuing to investigate whether changes in thyroid hormone levels also influence the neurological pathways involved in migraines and other headache disorders.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common cause of hypothyroidism and occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid. Because migraine and autoimmune thyroid disorders may share certain immune or inflammatory mechanisms, researchers have investigated whether these processes help explain why the conditions frequently occur together.

However, the exact relationship remains unclear, and having Hashimoto's or another form of hypothyroidism does not necessarily mean your headaches are caused by thyroid disease.

The endocrine and nervous systems are closely connected, and researchers believe overlapping hormonal and neurological pathways may contribute to the relationship between thyroid disorders and migraine.

This may also help explain why both conditions are considerably more common among women. Migraines occur two to three times more often in women than men, while women are also substantially more likely to develop hypothyroidism.

Sometimes the connection may be less direct. Hypothyroidism can contribute to fatigue and changes in sleep, while stress and disrupted sleep are common migraine triggers.

That means several factors may be affecting how you feel at the same time. Keeping track of when headaches occur and what other symptoms or circumstances accompany them can help you and your healthcare provider identify possible patterns.

There isn't one specific type of "hypothyroidism headache." However, research suggests that headaches associated with hypothyroidism frequently resemble migraines.

The study referenced above uncovered these findings:

• 63% of hypothyroidism-associated headaches were pulsating.
• 47% were unilateral, or occurred on one side of the head, at least some of the time.
• 60% involved nausea or vomiting.
• 92% had characteristics more consistent with migraine.

Migraine symptoms can also include sensitivity to light, sounds, smells, or physical activity, as well as dizziness, visual disturbances, and nausea.

The important distinction is that these symptoms aren't unique to hypothyroidism. Experiencing migraines doesn't necessarily mean you have a thyroid disorder, just as having hypothyroidism doesn't mean every headache you experience is thyroid-related.

Interestingly, research suggests the connection may be bidirectional.

This means hypothyroidism may be associated with an increased likelihood of headaches, while people who already experience headache disorders may also have a greater likelihood of developing hypothyroidism.

The analysis found that people with headache disorders had a 21% higher risk of developing new-onset hypothyroidism. Among people with possible migraines, the increased risk was 41%.

Researchers are still investigating why this relationship exists. Possible explanations include overlapping immune processes, hormonal factors, genetics, and nervous-system pathways.

If you regularly experience migraines along with symptoms that could indicate hypothyroidism, such as unexplained fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, dry skin, or thinning hair, talk with your healthcare provider about whether thyroid testing may be appropriate.

No symptom or headache pattern can definitively tell you that hypothyroidism is the cause.

Instead, your healthcare provider may look at your overall symptoms, medical history, thyroid hormone levels, medications, and other potential headache triggers.

It may be helpful to keep a headache diary that tracks:

• When headaches occur
• How long they last
• Where you feel the pain
• What the pain feels like
• Other symptoms, such as nausea or light sensitivity
• Sleep, stress, hydration, and dietary patterns
• Medications you took before or during the headache

If your headaches appeared or became more frequent around the same time as other hypothyroidism symptoms, make sure your healthcare provider knows about that pattern.

When hypothyroidism and headaches occur together, treatment may involve two goals: managing the underlying thyroid condition and finding ways to reduce headache symptoms.

An accurate diagnosis is important because headaches have many possible causes, and the best treatment will depend on what's contributing to yours.

Hypothyroidism is most commonly treated with levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone. Treatment helps restore adequate thyroid hormone levels and may improve symptoms caused by an underactive thyroid.

Your healthcare provider will typically monitor thyroid hormone levels and adjust your medication when necessary. Never change your dose or stop taking thyroid medication without talking to your healthcare provider.

If your headaches appeared alongside uncontrolled hypothyroidism, treating the thyroid condition may help. However, headaches that continue after thyroid hormone levels are adequately controlled may require separate evaluation and treatment.

Headache treatment depends on the type, severity, and frequency of your headaches. Migraine treatment may include medications taken during an attack as well as preventive medications designed to reduce how often migraines occur.

Depending on your needs, treatment options may include:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium
• Triptans
• Gepants
• Ditans
• Certain nasal medications
• Preventive migraine treatments

Using headache medication too frequently can contribute to medication-overuse headaches, so follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

Non-medication strategies may also help manage symptoms, including adequate sleep, hydration, stress management, regular meals, and resting in a dark, quiet room during a migraine.

There is no single duration for a headache associated with hypothyroidism. In one study, 78% of hypothyroidism-associated headaches lasted between four and 72 hours, similar to the typical duration of a migraine.

If you experience new, persistent, unusually severe, or changing headaches, talk with your healthcare provider rather than assuming hypothyroidism is the cause.

Treating hypothyroidism may help if thyroid dysfunction is contributing to your headaches, but it isn't guaranteed to eliminate them. Headaches and migraines can have multiple causes, and some people may continue to experience them even when their thyroid hormone levels are well controlled.

If your thyroid levels have stabilized but your headaches continue, your healthcare provider can help determine whether another trigger or headache disorder may be involved.

Headaches alone cannot tell you whether your thyroid medication dose is too high or too low. However, new or worsening symptoms may be a reason to discuss your treatment with your healthcare provider.

Blood tests such as TSH and T4 can help determine whether your thyroid hormone levels are within the appropriate range and whether your treatment needs to be adjusted.

Having migraines doesn't necessarily mean you need thyroid testing. However, because research has found an association between migraine and hypothyroidism, it may be worth discussing thyroid testing with your healthcare provider if you experience frequent migraines alongside other possible symptoms of hypothyroidism.

These can include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, thinning hair, or changes in your menstrual cycle.

At HealthierU, Dr. Donna Sergi takes a personalized, holistic approach to women's health and nutrition. Rather than looking at one symptom in isolation, she considers your nutrition, lifestyle, and individual needs to develop strategies that support your overall wellness.

If you're managing hypothyroidism alongside recurring headaches, nutrition and lifestyle support can complement the medical care you receive for your thyroid condition and headaches.

Ready to explore a more individualized, nutrition-focused approach to hypothyroidism and headaches? Contact HealthierU to request a consultation with Dr. Sergi and learn more about hypothyroidism treatment in Brooklyn.