Evaluation of the Relationship Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Menstrual Migraine in Adult Females

Abstract

Aim:Menstrual migraine (MM) is a condition linked to sudden estrogen withdrawal, however, changes in vascular system and neurotransmitters and several hormones are thought to be the underlying causes. Thyroid function affects both menstrual cycle and headache, however, the relationship between thyroid hormones and MM is still not clear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of MM with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4.Methods:Fifty-six patients without MM (group 1), 34 patients with MM (group 2) and 74 controls who had no migraine (group 3) were included in the study. The mean TSH, T3 and T4 levels were compared between the groups. Age, attack frequency (AF), attack period (AP), visual analog scale (VAS) score, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) grade, and MIDAS score were compared between group 1 and group 2. Correlation analysis was done for TSH, T3, T4 and each of the variables for the groups.Results:The mean T4 level in group 1, group 2 and group 3 was 1.06±1.74, 0.91±0.22 and 1.35±1.19 (p=0.03), respectively. The mean AF was 5.66±6.37 in group 1 and 3.08±1.81 in group 2 (p=0.02).Conclusion:T4 was significantly lower in patients with MM compared to patients without MM, and this difference became more prominent as compared with controls. We would like to draw attention of our colleagues to the relationship between thyroid function (particularly T4 decline) and MM.

Keywords

• migraine
• menstrual migraine
• thyroid gland
• thyroxine
• triiodothyronine