Chronic daily headaches

[Maisie1]

Headaches for 3 months. I have had daily headaches for about 12 weeks. Because it is my only symptom the GP said it wasn’t a tumour. I am taking a amitriptyline but only helps me sleep at night. Been diagnosed with chronic daily headaches. Having a private MRI scan soon

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Maisie1

Do you have a thyroid problem? Are you on thyroid meds? One of the side effects of Levothyroxine can be headaches.

[Maisie1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No it’s not my thyroid. Thanks for replying.

[Jazzw in reply to Maisie1]

Are you sure? A chronic headache can be one of the first signs of hypothyroidism. Worth making sure your doctor has done the right thyroid blood tests and has interpreted the results correctly (because they frequently don’t).

[Maisie1 in reply to Jazzw]

I think I have had a thyroid test recently

[Jazzw in reply to Maisie1]

Would be well worth getting your hands on the actual results and posting them here for comment then. Only if you’d like to, of course.

I see from past posts you’ve had all sorts of things to deal with in recent years—poor you, it’s rotten when you can’t find a way to get better—but we often find that thyroid problems have a lot to do with it.

Unfortunately many doctors only have about half an hour’s training on the thyroid and if your result falls into the normal range they look no further, even though it’s not as simple as that.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I think people might be wondering why you posted your question on a thyroid forum when you appear so sure it is not a thyroid issue?

[Maisie1 in reply to helvella]

My mistake

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Headaches are a hypothyroid symptom

Anxiety common hypothyroid symptom too

Perhaps ask your GP to test thyroid levels

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

[discocat54]

Hi

I have had chronic daily headache for years although due to a change in medication I’ve been daily headache free for 3 weeks (I can’t put in to words how life changing this has been).

I also have standard migraines without aura, cluster headaches and I’m hypo thyroid.

Do you have other types of headaches as chronic daily headache is often referred to as a ‘transformed’ headache where another type of headache mutates.

Amitriptyline is a standard first response which works for a lot of people but it’s only one of a few groups that you can try.

You have your natural remedies such as magnesium and CoQ10

Anti depressants such as Amitriptyline

Beta blockers such as Propanolol

Anti seizure medications - gabapentin, topiramate

It’s not a one size fits all so your GP will slowly and carefully work through the list and see which work for you.

My hypothyroid condition was diagnosed because of my headaches so they could be linked.

Either way, I’m always happy to chat about CDH and have some really useful articles about it so feel free to PM me.

[FearIsALiar]

Has this gotten any better for you?