Why does thyroid disorder cause headaches?
According to Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor, an endocrinologist at Artemis Hospital (India): Headaches can be an indirect consequence of thyroid disorders, due to hormonal imbalances that affect the nervous system, blood pressure and cause inflammation.
For people with hypothyroidism, headaches are often smelly, prolonged, and feel like a muscle strain. For people with hyperthyroidism, pain can be more severe, sometimes accompanied by sensation, anxiety or sensitivity to light.
Some studies have also shown that thyroid hormone imbalances can increase the risk of migraines, which are pain on one side of the head, accompanied by nausea and fatigue.
How to improve this condition?
Not everyone with thyroid disorders will get headaches. However, if you have additional signs such as fatigue, hair loss, irregular weight changes or sleep disorders, consider the thyroid as a potential cause.
Some ways to manage thyroid headaches:
Take the right medication: Follow your doctor's treatment to stabilize thyroid hormones.
Eat enough iodine: Foods such as eggs, seafood, milk, and iodine salt support thyroid function.
Get enough sleep and reduce stress: Meditation, deep breathing, gentle yoga can help reduce symptoms.
Drink enough water, avoid insomnia and prolonged stress - factors that easily make headaches worse.
Pain relievers: Can be temporarily used if the pain is excessive, but should not overuse because it only relieve symptoms, not solve the cause.
If you are struggling with unknown headaches, don't ignore your thyroid. Going for a thyroid hormone test is simple and can help you find the answer.
