Migraine and thyroid dysfunction: Co-occurrence, shared genes and biological mechanisms.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Endocrinology
• Neurology

Background:

• Migraine and thyroid dysfunction are common, highly heritable conditions.
• Thyroid function measures, such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4), are genetically influenced.
• Observational studies suggest an increased co-occurrence of migraine and thyroid dysfunction, but a clear interpretation is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review epidemiological and genetic evidence linking migraine and thyroid dysfunction.
• To clarify the relationship between migraine, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid hormones.
• To explore the genetic underpinnings of the co-occurrence of these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a narrative review of the literature.
• Searched the PubMed database for relevant epidemiological, candidate gene, and genome-wide association studies.
• Utilized keywords including migraine, headache, thyroid hormones, TSH, fT4, thyroid function, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism.

Main Results:

• Epidemiological studies indicate a bidirectional relationship between migraine and thyroid dysfunction, though the directionality is unclear.
• Early candidate gene studies suggested associations with MTHFR and APOE.
• Genome-wide association studies robustly linked THADA and ITPK1 to both migraine and thyroid dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Identified genetic associations improve understanding of the migraine-thyroid dysfunction relationship.
• Findings offer potential for developing biomarkers to guide thyroid hormone therapy in migraine patients.
• Further genetic studies hold promise for biological insights and clinical interventions.