People who suffer headache disorders have a greater risk of thyroid read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1076-people-who-suffer-headache-disorders-have-a-greater-risk-of-thyroid

A new study suggests, people with migraines and other headache disorders have a greater risk of a thyroid disease known as hypothyroidism.

According to researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Hypothyroidism occurs when the body can’t make sufficient thyroid hormone causing individuals to suffer from mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, constipation and irregular menstrual cycles.

Researchers looked at data from more than 8,400 people. The volunteers were followed for 20 years as part of a medical monitoring project.

They found, people with pre-existing headache disorders, such as cluster or tension headaches had a 21 percent increased risk of hypothyroidism while those with possible migraine showed an increased risk of 41 percent greater risk.

The findings suggest that people with migraines are particularly susceptible to hypothyroidism. However, the study doesn't prove that one condition causes the other.

Migraine affects about 12 percent of the U.S. population and hypothyroidism typically impacts about 2 percent. The conditions are rarely life-threatening. However, these conditions can cause decreased quality of life if patients don't get adequate treatment.

Researchers pointed out, what might link headaches to hypothyroidism isn't clear.

Dr. Vincent Martin, study co-author, said, it is possible that the development of hypothyroidism in a headache patient might further increase the frequency of headache, as past studies have found that treatment of hypothyroidism reduces the frequency of headache.

Regardless, physicians should be more vigilant in testing for hypothyroidism in people with headache disorders.   

The thyroid is a gland at the base of the neck that is part of the endocrine system. Thyroid hormones control the rate of many body activities, including heart rate and how fast you burn calories.