Headaches

[Drowsyserpent]

Hi there, can anyone tell me if hypothyroidism causes headache at the back of the head and neck pain. I have been suffering with this for quite some time and was wondering if I needed to go back to the doctor for a blood test. Thank you

[Beverleyb]

Hi, I’m not sure if hypothyroidism causes headaches, in my younger days I suffered with terrible migraines and headaches...touch wood I don’t get migraines anymore but I do get a headache behind one of my ears that goes down to my neck....I’m under a lot of stress lately , i put it down to that.

[Caroline888]

Hi,

I had a constant low-grade headache for more than 18 months. It was never severe but was there 24/7 and really got me down. Finally, after various misdiagnoses and treatments by GPs, none of which improved things at all, I saw a GP who recognized that I had a neck problem which was most probably the cause of the pain at the back/top of my head.

She recommended Robin McKenzie's book entitled Treat Your Own Neck which I found in the library that same day. This book was a life changer for me! Simple exercises that you can do watching the tv. The headache was gone within a week!

The book is a paperback and was so useful I bought it in the end. I hope it is the answer for you too.

All the best

Caroline

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your previous post showed you were EXTREMELY under medicated with TSH of 67 after GP reduced your Levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

How much has Levothyroxine been increased by?

Did you get bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase?

How much Levothyroxine are you now taking?

When was blood last tested?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

If not been retested since last increase , you need to get GP to do so

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised or if been very under medicated, as you have been

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies Or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Drowsyserpent in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve been taking 150mcg for 4 months now I’ve put on loads of weight and feel sluggish all the time. My doctor says I’m to have another blood test in April. He said my results always show I’m overactive that’s why my thyroxine was reduced but I don’t believe that. Maybe I should get a private blood test

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Drowsyserpent]

Highly likely to have low vitamin levels after recent messing about by GP

I would strongly recommend FULL private testing of thyroid and vitamins

Make sure to do all tests as early as possible in morning and fasting and no Levo in the 24 hours prior to test

Full testing is the only way many of us have made progress

Very common for conversion to get worse as we age.

Essential to test FT3, FT4 and TSH together to see if you have poor conversion problems

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Helsan]

Normally bloods are tested 6-8 weeks after dose adjustment. If I were you Id try private testing like Medichecks or Bluehorizon as indicated above by SlowDragon if you can afford it. Medichecks have good thyroid offers on Thursdays.

[Drowsyserpent in reply to Helsan]

Thank you, yes I will get private testing, my doctor has treated me very badly with this. I ended up in hospital for 2 weeks because he lowered my thyroxine to 75mcg last May. He said my results showed that I was overactive. I have been on 150 mcg for over 35 years so my body couldn’t take being lowered so drastic. I ended up psychotic and having seizures, I’m still very upset because this was so unnecessary and shouldn’t have happened

[Fruitandnutcase]

I used to get something similar - it wasn’t thyroid related though - I saw a locum who diagnosed occipital headaches and gave me some sort of cream - it was something on prescription not an OTC cream like Algipan or Deep Heat but probably similar - to rub into my neck around where my skull meets my neck - might have had gentle neck exercises too.

I thought his diagnosis was very odd and it all sounded very weird however I did what he said and sure enough the headaches disappeared.