Brain for and hypothyroidism...article

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Brain for and hypothyroidism...article
1
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 10:22am
June 27, 2004

Brain Fog and Hypothyroidism: One Woman's Story

A reader, Amy shares her story about brain fog and hypothyroidism....

Since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I have experienced a few very disturbing episodes of "brain fog". I was noticing that my short term memory was getting significantly worse over about a two month period. The other symptoms are bad enough, but I absolutely cannot abide my brain going on the blink. I mentioned it to my doctor and he ran my blood. Thyroid numbers were in "normal" range. The memory problems continued and got worse; including a real difficulty concentrating.

One day at lunch I realized that I just could not focus on what the person with me was saying. I could not even figure out how to respond to her when she spoke to me. I heard what she was saying but could not concentrate on how to respond. I FREAKED! In a total panic I got back to work and immediately called my doctor. I was sure that something dramatic was wrong...tumor....alien implantation...what the heck was going on? After a doctor ordered CAT scan (nothing wrong there) and a lot of web surfing I came across some references to anemia in hypothyroid patients and some symptoms of anemia similar to what I was experiencing.So....

I asked Dr. if he had run a red blood cell count on me. Of course the answer was "NO"....so I asked politely...If he would please run a CBC. Sure enough....my numbers were "slightly" low. After a week of prescription iron, taken at the opposite end of the day from my thyroid meds, it was like a light switch was flipped. My brain snapped back on and my short term memory and concentration problems were gone.

Now if I feel a real slip in my memory/concentration I get a CBC and pop the iron. For me, a "little low" equals big problems. I could not have survived and finally thrived without sites and info such as yours. Educate yourself folks and know your body. It makes a world of difference.

Thanks for lending an ear.

Sincerely,

Amy

http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/095160.htm

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 12:01pm
Thanks for the article, Lisa. I remember before I was diagnosed, I used to sit in my chair at night, watching tv and I had NOTHING on my mind. Not a thing! I would stop and think about how weird it was that I had no thoughts, nothing to say, no reactions to anything ....... and anyone that knows me, knows that couldn't be farther from the "real" me! :) It was like I had slowed to the point of no return!! It was an awful feeling. Cathy