People who suffer from migraines or from headache patients are at greater risk of developing a thyroid disease called hypothyroidism, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. Hypothyroidism is real when the body can no longer produce enough thyroid hormone. This causes mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, chronic fatigue, constipation and irregular menstrual cycles in patients.
Headaches linked to a high risk of hypothyroidism
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati in the United States looked at the medial data of 8,412 people. They found that participants who lived with headache pre-existing patients had a 21% increased risk of developing hypothyroidism and those with migraine showed a 41% higher probability of having this disorder of the thyroid.
“Our study is one of the largest studies published to date suggesting that migraine disorders are a risk factor for the future development of hypothyroidism,” says Andrew Martin, senior author and medical student at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.
While the link between headaches and hypothyroidism appears to be real, researchers have not established scientific causes. “Headaches activate the immune system, which could predispose to the future development of hypothyroidism. In addition, the stress induced by migraine disorders could increase its likelihood. Other environmental or genetic factors could be at play as well, ”concludes Andrew Martin.
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