Investigation of hormonal profile in 19 patients with cluster headache

Current evidences has shown hypothalamic dysfunction in cluster headache (CH).CH is so explosive that finding any relationship between this type of headache and different hormones could help to its better prevention and treatment. Methods and Materials : This study was performed in Isfahan University of medical sciences from June 2006 to June 2007 among 131 CH patients. Data was obtained from 19 of these cases randomly. In our study we found statistically significant relation among cortisol, thyroid hormone (T3) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Among 19 CH Patients, 11 cases had low FSH level (57.9%) and three cases (15.8%) had high values. One case (5.3%) had low serum T3 level. 52.6% (10cases) demonstrated low cortisol level. Other results for testosterone, T4, TSH and LH were not statistically significant. The altered hormone level (cortisol, FSH, T3) is a further indication of permanent hypothalamic disturbance in cluster headache and might be a clue to prevent, or treat this severe headache by hormonal modification. Abbreviations: CH cluster headache, FSH follicle stimulating hormone, LH luteinizing hormone, TSH thyroid stimulating hormone, T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.