In Population Near Uranium Plant, Headaches Predicted a Thyroid Problem
People with headache disorders may be at greater risk of developing hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone and various body processes start to slow down. A study by researcher Andrew Martin and colleagues in the Journal of Head and Face Pain is the largest to examine the likelihood that headache sufferers may be at risk for hypothyroidism.
About 2% of Americans develop hypothyroidism. The study by Martin and colleagues used data from a 20-year medical monitoring program for people who lived near a uranium processing plant in Ohio. The authors reported that people with pre-existing headache disorders had a 21% increased risk of new onset hypothyroidism during that period, while people who reported that they had migraines or regularly used headache medication had a 41% increased risk of hypothyroidism. People with migraines were most likely to develop hypothyroidism in the study. Female sex and age are additional risk factors for hypothyroidism. About 12% of the US population experiences migraines.
Melatonin May Improve Headaches
A 2016 article in the Journal of Head and Face Pain reviewed randomized placebo-controlled trials of melatonin for the treatment of headaches. Author Amy A. Gelfand and colleagues reported that 10 mg of melatonin was superior to placebo in the treatment of cluster headaches. For treatment of migraines, 3 mg of immediate-release melatonin improved headaches compared to placebo, while 2 mg of sustained-release melatonin was insufficient.
The authors also found non–placebo controlled data suggesting that melatonin may be helpful for other types of headaches. More research is needed to clarify melatonin’s effects in different headache disorders.
