Migraines, PMS and anxiety share a common link. All three of these conditions are more common in women with low thyroid function. These conditions often resolve when body temperature is normalized and proper metabolism is restored.
The purpose of the thyroid system is to set the metabolic rate or body temperature. New research shows that even a slightly underactive thyroid gland, or low metabolic rate, causes endothelial dysfunction. That is, it interferes with the function of cells lining blood vessels. These cells respond to hormonal cues that help blood vessels relax and contract; therefore, they are important for healthy blood pressure and normal blood flow. Abnormal blood flow in the head is a major factor in migraine headaches.
Low metabolism also affects sex hormones and neurotransmitter production. It can interfere with proper ovulation, production of estrogen and progesterone and with neurotransmitters that affect mood, including GABA and serotonin. In fact, mood changes, especially depression, irritability and anxiety are especially typical of low body temperatures.
Unfortunately, many women with low thyoid hormone function are not diagnosed. That’s because of the way they are being screened, with a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test, which can overlook some kinds of thyroid hormone problems.
Even if your TSH is been normal, I suggest you check your body temperature, which is an exact measure of metabolic activity in your body. (For instructions on how to do this correctly, see “How are body temperatures measured” on our website.) If your body temperature is consistently low—below 98.5 F., or 36.94 C, but typically lower than 97.8 F, or 36.56 C.— there’s a good chance that you have low metabolism and low thyroid hormone function.
I’ve found that people with low body temperature can improve dramatically if they get supplemental thyroid hormone in the form of T3. This is the case even if they have normal blood levels of TSH or have been taking T4 (Synthroid.) Normalizing body temperature with T3 can improve mood, energy level, ability to drop excess weight, and a host of symptoms, including migraine headaches, PMS and anxiety.
If you would like to learn more about Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome, please join me for a live webinar on July 21, 2015. It’s free, and you will even be able to ask questions. Please sign up here– you will then be sent instructions on how to log on. I look forward to “meeting” you!
REFERENCES
Andrade Junior NE, Pires ML, Thuler LC. Depression and anxiety symptoms in hypothyroid women. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2010 Jul;32(7):321-6.
Brayshaw ND, Brayshaw DD. Thyroid Hypofunction in Premenstrual Syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1986;315:1486–1487.
Kessel B. Premenstrual syndrome: Advances in diagnosis and treatment. Obstetrics and Gynecol Clin North Am, 2000;27(3):625–639.
Kikuchi M, Komuro R, Oka H, et al. Relationship between anxiety and thyroid function in patients with panic disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2005 Jan;29(1):77-81.
Lu M, Yang CB, Gao L, et. al. Mechanism of subclinical hypothyroidism accelerating endothelial dysfunction (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2015 Jan;9(1):3-10.
Moline M, Zendall S. Evaluating and managing premenstrual syndrome. Medscape Womens Health, 2000;5(2):1.
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