[DianneW]

#1072277

Hi Cathy,

I have never seen anything in the literature about a link between Graves’ Disease and migraines, but I do know that I didn’t ever have migraines at any time in my life until after I had Graves’ Disease.

Are you coming to the GDF Conference in Charlotte this year? If so, let’s be sure to ask this question to the experts there this year. This isn’t the first time someone has wondered about the relationship on this Bulletin Board, so I wouldn’t be surprised if most doctors have been asked this question before.

[cathycnm]

#1019532

Hi all – I have a question about the link between migraine and Graves. I had horrible migraines that were brought on by my cycle, low blood sugar and stress as a teen. At times, these were disabling. My mom finally figured out that we fasted before communion on Sundays and it was always in the middle of the sermon that my visual aura would come. I grow up, have a child, the headaches all but stop. I remember only one (at a time of stress) between kids. None since my second child – who is now 30. That is called remission. I went through menopause 4 years ago. Was on HRT the first year only. Then 5 days after RAI – bingo – a visual aura for the first time in 30 years. I knew what it was immediately and ate something to bring up the sugar. The headaches and auras were frequent (almost daily) until I went hypo and started replacement. Now, given that it was 5 days post RAI, I am guessing I would be more likely to be hyper than hypo. My blood pressure was normal. Not another headache until Tuesday – same thing – stress, low sugar, visual aura but now no cycles. I find out the next day my T4 is high. I have had the headache on and off since then.

I did a web search and it seems they are finding a link with migraine and hypothyroid. Which I thought answered my question about the headaches last fall. But now with a high T4. My only guess is the sugar, stress and hormonal imbalance (high or low thyroid) are at play. 30 years was a long time to go with no headach like this – seems to odd to be a coincidence!

I remember one OB doc from my youth saying there was no link between estrogen and migraine – and we now know that is a strong link. I am wondering if anyone knows of any Graves-Migraine links. Thanks.

[cathycnm]

#1072278

Dianne – Oh, I wish I could come to the conference. With a very full time job and 1/2 time graduate school and a trip back to campus (accross the US) this fall, I just can’t. My plan is to get much more involved with NGDF once I finish school in 2010. 20 more months!!!!

Thanks for the info and letting me know I am not alone. These ones I have gotten with Graves have the aura but the headaches are liveable – unlike adolescence. But I would guess whatever it is effecting is taking less of a dive than adolescent ovaries did. I know there are interactions with thyroid and estrogen. If estrogen is being taken as replacement – I believe it lowers thyroid. So, I wonder if when my T4 goes up, if it causes a reduction of estrogen (we menopausal women have a little estrogen left – tends to be stable low dose from the adrenals) – so it would be less of a dip than the menstraul cycle. That in one educated guess. The other has to do with blood sugar – but estrogen also raises blood sugar so if it is low because thyroid is high – it might play a role. Of course – this may be entirely crazy hypothesis.

If you think to ask – would you let me know. My cholesterol is still up and I cannot wean off the antidepressants (cause I feel fine until the thyroid goes off again – but with the stress of work/school, I don’t want to not be on those things). So – my PCP is looking at me like I have become a train wreck in the last 3 years. I am afraid to tell her about the headaches nor do I want more meds – so planning to see what happens with a lower T4 dose and let them know if not better. This board is great, though! Thanks!!! Cathy

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