Severe headaches : Does anyone experience severe... - Thyroid UK

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Severe headaches

MarAsh9 profile image
12 Replies

Does anyone experience severe headaches especially when you need to concentrate on something ( reading , studying ....) ? If so how do you deal with it

Does it go with the right dose of thyroid medication or not ?

I’ve read that these headaches are related to hypothyroidism , it’s really a frustrating problem for me and doctors usually ignore the symptoms I have and focus on the labs . 😭😭😭 I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired

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MarAsh9 profile image
MarAsh9
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12 Replies
NWA6 profile image
NWA6

😣 that sounds awful. Have you had an eye test recently?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Are you still only taking 25mcg Levothyroxine and 5mcg T3 ?

This is likely too low a dose

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

MarAsh9 profile image
MarAsh9 in reply to SlowDragon

So helpful as always thank u ,, I’ll be testing my levels on Wednesday and post it here

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to MarAsh9

Taking any dose of T3 will almost always suppresse TSH. Absolutely essential to test FT3 and FT4

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

If you are only on 5mcg T3 that's a tiny dose.

Most people need 3 x 5mcg

MarAsh9 profile image
MarAsh9 in reply to SlowDragon

I’ll keep this in mind , thank u again much appreciated ,, I’ll be posting the results soon

Hanneke12 profile image
Hanneke12

I had those...! Went away with B12 supplementing. Did you check your B12 levels?

MarAsh9 profile image
MarAsh9 in reply to Hanneke12

Yes it was within the normal levels

Hanneke12 profile image
Hanneke12 in reply to MarAsh9

Do you remember what they were? The level and the reference values?

MarAsh9 profile image
MarAsh9 in reply to Hanneke12

574.0 pg/ml ....( 187-883 )

Hanneke12 profile image
Hanneke12 in reply to MarAsh9

That indeed is a very good level. The range should start at 220, but that is of no consequence to you.

Hope you solve the cause of your headache, I know how hard that can be...

Ell17 profile image
Ell17

Taking extra B2 (Riboflavin) is something you could do. It offers relief for some people. It is affordable and certainly worth a try. Also, if you aren't sensitive, taking a caffeine tablet along with the B2 is what tends to work best for me (or taking the B2 with a cup of black coffee.) Sometimes, for a really bad one, I will add an ibuprofen to the combo.

Take the extra B2 daily to keep it in your system. When a headache starts, take another B2 alone or with a caffeine tablet to see if it helps. Then you can always experiment with adding the ibuprofen later.

A balance of all the B's is important. Taking a good, methylated B Complex Formula (many good brands, Thorne is a good one) could also be helpful. But, you can still take the extra B2. Your body flushes what isn't needed. So, you don't have to worry about having too much.

I suffer from migraines. Amazon has gel filled massage rollers that you keep in the freezer. When I feel one coming on I will use that on areas where mine are triggered. Very often the freezing effects will stop it before it becomes full blown. This may help you, as well.

Herbal headache blends may be something you want to check out, too. Some people swear by them.

It may not work well for everyone, but burning Frankincense/Myrrh or Patchouli incense has helped with my migraines since I was young. If I can catch one early onset, just smelling it can ward one off. There are many fragrance choices that may work. Just make sure the incense is made using essential oils, not synthetic fragrances.

Bottled essential oils are easy to take with you and work in the same way. Just unscrew the lid and sniff. Lavender and lemon/citrus are good for headaches, they can be both calming and rejuvenating.

I hope you can find something that offers relief very soon.

All the best.😊

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

B2 is a known help for migraines, so if it is migrainey go for them... B2 is also good at fighting fatigue with B5. Magnesium, Zinc and B6 are good for cognitive support ( they also support adrenals) - Igennus do a tablet that combines all three, so do Terry Naturally - but they are harder to source. My son takes them and they help him with mentally demanding work.

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