Anyone found this .....

[Gillybean129]

I used to love reading, now I can only read about 30 pages of a book and can't carry on, like I lose interest, seriously worried

[JudyS]

You can read 30 pages at once? Actually, I can't remember the last time I did that. It's just another manifestation of poor concentration.

Just lately I've been reading before going to bed and I'm only managing about five pages. I'm a lifelong 'bookworm' and used to happily have five books on the go at once, but I have periods now where I simply can't do it. My attention span has become extremely short, too. I start a task and suddenly, just as you say, it's as if I just can't carry on.

[Hidden]

Yep - since awhile, I thought I must've just chose the wrong book, if it doesn't catch my limited interest span, it's back on the shelf with the others, for later..... same with TV... (apart from adverts really annoying me!)- is it a sign of getting old? no my mum loved TV and any news AND books...

was offered a kindle - anything I wanted, still nothing to keep my interest - however I do have an inclination to read interesting posts - if they're a bit long, I have trouble, but I go back & read again, as I know I wan't taking it in the first,second time around. Dory brain I suppose J x

[jezebel69]

I had a list of favourite authors and I used to be waiting for their next book to come out.....now I have a stack of half read books and no inclination to finish them.

[tilly83]

Maybe it's the books! Try this amazing one, Woman in Berlin by anonymous, true amazing story, or a new one Gone Girl (Flynn) if you like a more pacy read.....

[susymac]

I'm the same. I used to read loads of books. And used to take only a day or two to read most of them, now it takes me months, even when I'm really enjoying the book, because I just cant manage more than a page or two at a time, and I find it frustrating

[Flowers2]

Yep! Same here. I rarely get past a few pages and then I lose interest whilst my hubby annoyingly reads for hours. I used to love reading. Is it a hypoT thing?

[sandysnow]

Don't worry; it all part of this whole business. I used to read three books at a time, because I was at uni and that was the norm. Now, I have the attention span of a goldfish. I have many books that have just been started and that is where it ends. I know it is my hypothyroidism and also know it will be an indicator that I have my meds right and balanced when I can actually engage properly in my reading. I used to write children's stories, and delighted in the escapism: I haven't written a line for over two years. Hang in there, we have all visited the hypothyroid get well waiting room.

Ann

[JanePound]

Remember that hypothyroidism mimics lots of other problems such as attention deficit disorder. I took my daughter to the doctor for an ADHD assessment and he did a really good job and diagnosed her hypothyroidism. When she started to take her T3 the ADHD became more manageable. She still has it, but it was much more pronounced when she was un-medicated. Sadly this was 12 years ago and in the USA.

[EmJB]

Phew so it's not just me then?! I have hundreds of books and used to read avidly now I just don't have the concentration. Has anyone found a way to get it back?

[myusername]

I'm exactly the same. does anyone else struggle to have clear thoughts or lack ability to make careful decisions about from deciding what to wear , to life decisions? My ability to follow conversations is the same as my attention span for reading; I just don't understand anything. I moved in with my boyfriend so that I wouldn't have to struggle alone anymore but he doesnt trust me to wash up correctly or to cook a meal to his liking , I think maybe I was better just seeing him at weekends again?! My GP years ago advised me to move to France, I am now trying to do this, but now my son who lives here and a new friend advise me to go back to living with your man and try and get a job in UK again its better than being alone and struggling with the economic climate in FR. I know I'm rambling but thats how my mind works!

[PinkNinja in reply to myusername]

Indecision can be a symptom of thiamine (B1) deficiency, as a symptom of Korsakoff's syndrome. My mind works in a strange way too which is why I thought of this when you mentioned indecision

I wouldn't be surprised if many of us are deficient in most of the B vitamins...

[Gillybean129]

Feel kind of relieved I'm not alone. Thing is my Dad had dementia and now my Mum, what chance do I have also they used to read now Mum can't even pick a newspaper. I read yesterday you're more likely to have dementia with Hypo, anyone else heard this?

[snowinok]

I used to be able to be shown something just once and then be able to do it; I learnt so quickly. I could read and read all that wanted to or needed to. These days I can barely read a newspaper.

I once took on the NHS and impressed a coroner over the death of my father because of medical negligence and an incompetent doctor but I cannot even grasp the smallest concept of my condition, Hypothyroidism.

Try as I might, I cannot understand what is happening to me any more.

Xx

[PinkNinja]

I feel quite upset reading how you are all finding these things so difficult. It is very hard to live with the cognitive issues associated with this awful condition I was the same while my treatment wasn't adequate.

I just wanted to reassure you all that things can get better with the right treatment and when you have your vitamins, minerals and cortisol sorted out. I am starting to feel normal again and am finding that I am taking in what I read for the first time in a very long time. I am having more ideas and, as my husband always used to say to me before I was hypothyroid, I have too many thoughts which is a good thing because that's what is normal for me Please keep fighting for better treatment. It's worth it in the end.

Huge hugs to all of you.

Carolyn xxx

[France1]

I do hope so CarolynB - my ability is awful - I work from home which is maybe easier but I write and I now find that I am drifting - I used to be focused and be able to hold a thought - no I can't even find the thought to hold.

[Gillybean129]

I used to get so much pleasure from reading, could read a book in 2/3 days can't imagine that now

[lulujeanne]

Just wanted to say how I struggle too with reading and concentration. although I have struggled since I was in infants school. Like many of you I cannot read more than 5 pages, sometimes 1 if its a bad day! I also find this extends to reading websites and even texts (im awful at replying to those). I also find it very difficult to retain information I've read, which is frustrating to say the least. I don't know if anyone else finds this, but when im really interested in a book, I can read quicker than usual,but then i can't remember a thing of what I've just read. This has been a major problem for me during university. I also find I'm very sensitive to light and white paper The only way i can get round this is to use coloured paper, tint my computer screen with a colour and use coloured plastic overlays on books. It helps a little but i still struggle.

i was actually diagnosed with dyselxia and dyspraxia at 18, but since my recent hypo diagnosis ive been wondering if my thyroid has been the problem all along?

Just as a general question to everyone; does anyone struggle with spelling at times and sentence structure/ grammar etc? Is this something that hypo can contribute too? Or is thus more of a dyselxic trait.

(OP: sorry to add a question to your post, but seeing as its along similar lines i thought id ask for your feedback)

Anyway im sorry to hear your struggling with this, from the replies on here your not the only one, and it looks like its something that can be treated when on optimal treatment

Louise x

[Gillybean129]

Never had any dyslexia issues, just lost the ability to concentrate and retain info when reading recently...