Is headache related to thyroid issues?

[Alex_p]

Hi all. I've experienced headaches for the past couple of weeks almost daily. I started to feel tired, to have hair falling, dry skin and I recognise these symptoms to be related to hypothyroidism, but is the constant headache related to that too?

I've been feeling well previous to this, I've started taking vitamin supplements for the past couple of months and they've really helped (I'm taking vit B, magnesium, calcium-because of low PTH). I also tried iron and vit D supplements, but I just can't seem to get along with them. I have a GP appointment scheduled and hopefully I'll do another round of blood tests for the thyroid, but I was wondering about the headache.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Headache and migraine extremely common hypothyroid symptoms

[Jazzw]

I see you had your thyroid removed, so guess you’re already on thyroid hormone replacement?

I definitely get more headaches when my dosage is too low—I agree with Slow Dragon that it can definitely be an undermedication issue.

Hopefully the blood tests will provide some clues.

[Jazzw]

Ah yes. I’ve just found your post with blood test results from 4m ago - you looked a little undermedicated then:

Serum free T3 level - 4 (3.10 - 6.80pmol/L)

Serum free T4 level - 17.1 (12.00 - 22.00pmol/L)

Serum TSH level - 0.03 (0.27 - 4.20miu/L)

Many doctors only look at TSH. But FT3 and FT4 are also very important. Ideally, both FT3 and FT4 should be in the top quartile of the range.

Many people who’ve had a thyroidectomy end up needing T3 to be prescribed—not all, but we see it here fairly often.

In the first instance, there’s definitely wriggle room for an increase in levothyroxine which may make all the difference.

[Alex_p in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks for the reply. I wanted to see how I feel after taking some supplements. For a while, everything was good, I got rid of the tiredness and the depression but something has changed (not sure what). Hopefully my GP will prescribe another set of tests and refer me to an endocrinologist. In the meantime, not sure what to do about the headaches...Paracetamol doesn’t always work or it works on short term.

[Lovecake]

I agree with all the above. Have you tried sublingual spray for vitD? It might help. I’m ok with the liquid gels too.

I can’t always take tablets (get bad heads). Folic acid from the nhs is a no for me.

But I can tolerate the B complex that was recommended on here by Igennus. It contains methyl folate and my body is ok with that.

Headaches and migraines are a big part of my life, thyroid issues definitely affect their frequency and severity.

Just when I think I’ve cracked it, I get a bad head. But I now have more good days than bad, so a huge improvement. I hope you sort yours and feel good soon. ☺️