Research has also shown that once hypothyroidism has developed, migraines and headaches become more frequent and severe. Furthermore, other studies have found that as hypothyroidism increases in severity, it may result in even more frequent headaches.
People with hypothyroidism may also have headaches, including pulsing pain, on both sides of the head. In most cases, the headaches subside after the person receives effective treatment for hypothyroidism.
Thyroid hormones are crucial for brain development, and influence brain function throughout life. In adults, hypothyroidism causes lethargy, hyporeflexia, and poor motor coordination (1,2), is associated with bipolar affective disorders, depression, or loss of cognitive functions (3,4).
The release of insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) may result in low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate, causing dizziness, weakness, lethargy, and chills.
General joint and muscle pains are common when hypothyroidism is not sufficiently treated, and your dosage of thyroid hormone needs to be increased. Joint and muscle weakness and pain, especially in the arms and legs, can be evidence that you need an increased dose of antithyroid drugs for your hyperthyroidism.
If an underactive thyroid is not treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).
Brain fog. An overactive thyroid can interfere with your ability to concentrate. Memory loss, mental fatigue, or brain fog are all symptoms of a thyroid problem.
Patients with hypothyroidism may also report aches and pains, swelling in the legs, and difficulty concentrating. Menstrual dysfunction, hair loss, decreased sweating, decreased appetite, mood changes, blurred vision, and hearing impairment are also possible symptoms.
One of the most common medication-based thyroid treatments used today is called levothyroxine. According to a presentation by the Neurology Times, hypothyroid patients using levothyroxine saw a decrease in both the severity and frequency of their chronic thyroid headache.
About underactive thyroids
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid isn't making. There's no way of preventing an underactive thyroid.
Slowing of thought and speech, decreased attentiveness, and apathy often occur in overt hypothyroidism, and the diagnosis may be confused with depression. Rarely, severely hypothyroid patients present with agitation and frank psychosis (“myxedema madness”) (5).
Headache is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism, occurring in approximately one-third of the patients.
Although rare, an autoimmune thyroid disorder can alter intracranial pressure.
The most obvious symptom of subacute thyroiditis is pain in the neck caused by a swollen and inflamed thyroid gland. Sometimes, the pain can spread (radiate) to the jaw or ears. The thyroid gland may be painful and swollen for weeks or, in rare cases, months.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition where the thyroid doesn't create and release enough thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. This makes your metabolism slow down. Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism can make you feel tired, gain weight and be unable to tolerate cold temperatures.
Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in several ways. Lower production of thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Hypothyroidism also makes the arteries less elastic, and blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body.
Myxedema crisis (also called myxedema coma), the most severe form of hypothyroidism, is rare. It occurs when thyroid hormone levels get very, very low.
Anxiety Symptoms to Watch For
If you've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, anxiety symptoms to monitor yourself for include: Insomnia. Feeling “on edge” a lot. Muscle tension.
Yes, thyroid disease can affect mood. Common thyroid disease symptoms that affect mood include anxiety or depression. In general, the more severe the thyroid disease, the more severe the mood changes.
The symptom of vertigo is seen in 67% of patients with hypothyroidism. Attacks are usually mild and brief, and are not associated with hearing loss [4].
Hypothyroidism is more common in older persons than younger individuals, especially among women, principally due to the rising incidence and prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Furthermore, the incidence of hypothyroidism steadily increases with advancing age (Figure 1).
Most cases of an underactive thyroid are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by damage that occurs as a result of treatments for thyroid cancer or an overactive thyroid.
Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.