Advice re strange headache

[Cogsat123]

I feel awful - my head just doesn't feel right at all. Have been feeling like this for some hours and other days off and on but never so bad as this. Haven't been great for some time but since this afternoon, I feel awful. I don't want to ring 111 in case they come out as don't want to go to hospital. Have had some thyroid issues and worried about cortisol problem but blood results all came back as 'normal' . Never felt like this in my life, really strange in my head. Any advice?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

As it’s been a couple of years since you last posted, it’s useful to share recent thyroid blood test results/ key thyroid vitamin levels. Please remember that when doctor’s say ‘normal’ or ‘within range’ this may not be the same as ‘optimal’.

Certainly, if you are under medicated thyroid-wise, then you may have a raft of adverse symptoms, including headaches. However, if you have a persistent or worsening headache that is not alleviated by over the counter pain relief, I would phone 111.

Sending you best wishes 🦋

[Cogsat123 in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you for quick reply. Test results below. I haven't been feeling great for some time. Was hoping results might show low cortisol levels, which could be rectified by taking hydrocortisone.

The headache I have isn't like a usual headache at all, which is why I am concerned. Generally just feel unwell but concerned about this headache. Maybe I should ring 111.

Thank you

Coded entry Mean cell haemoglobin level (XE2pb) 32 pg [27 - 32]

Coded entry Mean cell volume (42A..) 91 fL [83 - 101]

Coded entry Haematocrit (X76tb) 0.38 [0.36 - 0.46] Information about this test

Coded entry Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (429..) 35.3 g/dL [31.5 - 34.5] - Above high reference limit; This value has been converted from: 353.0 g/L

Coded entry Haemoglobin concentration (Xa96v) 135 g/L [120 - 150] Information about this test

Coded entry Full blood count (424..) Information about this test

Coded entry Nucleated red blood cell count (4266.) 0 10^9/L [0 - 0.2]

Coded entry Red blood cell count (426..) 4.2 10^12/L [3.8 - 4.8] Information about this test

Coded entry Platelet count - observation (42P..) 231 10^9/L [150 - 410] Information about this test

Coded entry Total white blood count (XaIdY) 5.7 10^9/L [4 - 10] Information about this test

Coded entry Lymphocyte count (42M..) 2.4 10^9/L [1 - 3]

Coded entry Neutrophil count (42J..) 2.6 10^9/L [2 - 7]

Coded entry Red blood cell distribution width (XE2mO) 12.7 % [11.6 - 14]

Coded entry Basophil count (42L..) 0 10^9/L [0 - 0.1]

Coded entry Eosinophil count - observation (42K..) 0.1 10^9/L [0.02 - 0.5]

Coded entry Monocyte count - observation (42N..) 0.6 10^9/L [0.2 - 1]

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Cogsat123]

I’m sure someone more experienced than I regarding blood counts will be able to advise on your result, as I am only confident commenting on thyroid levels/ key vitamins.

Do you have a thyroid panel (TSH/ FT3 and FT4) plus key thyroid vitamins (ferritin/ folate/ B12/ vit D)? What dose of thyroid medication are you taking?

Please do seek medical advice if your headache worsens.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing as per replies 3 years ago

Many, many U.K. patients have to test privately to make progress

are you still taking Lansoprazole

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Previously you had extremely low B12

Are you always getting same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Cogsat123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you to everyone for your lovely helpful replies. I am waiting for a call back from the surgery. Hard to explain how my head feels, all over the place, feels like a headache with brain fog, feel mentally exhausted, memory not great. I think the problem is that I am under medicated. Have not long ago had call from surgery and am speaking to a clinician tomorrow, so hopefully will shed some light on what is causing this.

[CapnM]

two things that have triggered headaches in me that might be worth considering (obs there are many causes)

- about the time I developed under active thyroid I got headaches, it took me a year to realise I coud not process alchol any longer, it gives me horrendous headaches when I wake up in the morning, nausea and sticks around for two days. no pills help. apparently inability to process alcohol is prevalent in people with underactive thyroid though not much research exists.

- my under active thyroid trigged sleep apnea (I have written a post on this), the effects of sleep apnea (and an emerging conditions called UARS) mucks up your O2 / CO2 balance (amongst other horrible symtpoms) and can lead to all day headaches very different to normal headaches. Best quick self diagnosis is to have someone watch you sleep but pls realise its about more than stopping breathing, any form of drawn out, difficultly breathing or restriction in airlow can be a sign of sleep apnea.

[connyankee]

Dehydration? What color is your pee? It should be a clear yellow color. Hormones? Gosh, I just read an article about eating undercooked pork which caused a man to have miserable migraines which were caused by a tape worm in his brain! Could it be related to pollen counts? Tree sap rising or falling? Is it affecting your daily life? Please see a doctor and rule out your fears. Good luck.

[Hectorsmum2]

my brain feels very weird if my thyroid hormones are too low.

[Ukie]

Hi Cogsat. Are you able to describe how your head feels? I get migraines when I’m undermedicated, and all sorts of weird feelings can accompany that. I get dizzy and kind of woozy, with a feeling that I’m ‘not quite there’, almost as if I’m watching a movie of my life. Once I kind of lost awareness of where my body was (proprieception?). Migraines can cause all sorts of stuff.

[TSH110]

i had all sorts of weird headaches when I was hypothyroid. Migraines, strange sudden ones like someone had put a pick axe in my head, cluster ones - all kinds I lived on aspirin trying to quell them. They have all gone now my thyroid disorder is properly treated.

[Star13]

if you have been experiencing headaches that are new and it is now getting worse you MUST get it checked out! Please call your GP or 111. As someone who has suffered a Stroke and who the ambulance men misdiagnosed it as migraine, just get it checked, as I know what can happen and I wouldn’t want that for anyone else. Better safe than sorry!

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to Star13]

I too had a bad migraine where my daughter rang 999.I felt weird,couldn't get my words out and felt disconnected.She was terrified.I was checked out at the hospital and had a scan,no stroke but a migraine.Never had a migraine like that before or since and I've had them since I was 14 years old.At the time my thyroid levels were slightly high(I have graves),and I suffered lots of migraines when my FT4 was too high.When my levels are too high or low I can get migraines.But you are right,it needs checking,better safe than sorry.

[Batty1]

You should have a Iron panel done along with what slowdragon posted above.