Iron therapy and migraine headache

Migraine is a common form of headaches with no recognized mechanism and etiology. The relation between iron deficiency and migraine headache is not clear. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of iron therapy on the frequency and severity of headache attacks in migraineurs with iron deficiency. In this experimental study, 90 women with migraine headaches were designated into three groups (n=30 for each group). The first group had negative iron balance, the second group had iron deficiency anemia and the third group had normal iron level. All groups were treated in three periods of 45 days. Patients received sodium valproate in all periods and iron sulfate (50mg per day) in the second period of the study. The severity and frequency of headache attacks were recorded and compared in three groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. There were significant decrease in the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in groups one and two, compared with group three (P<0.05). According to the findings, iron therapy seems to be beneficial in migraineurs with iron deficiency.