Brain fog and daydreaming

[BlueKeith]

I am really suffering from brain fog and daydreaming. I can be having a conversation with someone and be fully tuned in one minute then completely zone out for a few minutes . Also I am constantly humming or whistling like there is a song playing in my head. My Wife and Daughter think it started when I started the levothyroxine February 2021 but I'm not sure. All my hypothyroidism symptoms apart from the brain fog has gone. I've had blood tests and all good vitamins all optimal . I'm on 75mcg levothyroxine. Has anyone else got similar symptoms and could it be the hypothyroidism or the levothyroxine?

[fuchsia-pink]

You're probably under-medicated - 75 mcg is only one-up from a "standard" starter-dose and probably quite a lot less than 1/6 mcg per kg of body weight (the other way of starting someone on thyroid meds) ...

So you're probably taking enough levo to stop your thyroid from making hormone - levo doesn't "top up" what you produce yourself, it replaces it - but not enough to replace it properly. You may have TSH "in range" but that's not enough - it needs to be less than 2, probably less than 1 AND you need free T4 and free T3 to be a good 2/3 or higher through range

Do you have your most recent blood results to post?

[Verde1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

for 20 years I take levothyroxine I complain the same... but because TSH is normal nothing that they can do... at moment diagnose with 115mcg they don't check T3 or T4... they say there is no need for it...if take above that dose start sweeting and so on...

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Verde1]

So get a private test of TSH, free T4 and free T3 - it isn't that expensive. The post the results in a new post and the lovely people here can help you x

[Verde1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you for your support. Whith whom you recommend me to do the tests? Also usually I am low in vitamin D and ferritin.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Verde1]

Gosh, your post has got me off to a grumpy start to my day! Trouble with doctors - what they consider ‘normal’ (anywhere within their ridiculous lab ranges) is not necessarily ‘optimal’ for you - especially if you still don’t feel good. Unfortunately’normal’ keeps your doctor happy ☹️😱☹️

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

You have Hashimoto’s

You also have bad gut issues

Has GP done coeliac blood test. If not you need to be tested

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

If you have had negative coeliac test are you now on strictly gluten free diet

If not you definitely need to try it for minimum 3-6 months

Thyroid and vitamin results

You are legally entitled to copies of your test results and ranges

ESSENTIAL to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results and ranges here

Or come back with new post once you get copies from receptionist

Thousands upon thousands of U.K. patients forced to test privately to make progress

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

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[Verde1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. That is what I think I have. I am almost not eating gluten aliments. Just my own made bread, but if I make a whole wheat flour bread or rye or with some bits of cereals mixed. Is really not digestive for me already tried. Is the same if I ate oats porridge. I don't feel ok also.. Is not painful but is bloating and very uncomfortable.

Just make my own white strong flour bread. I make a loaf it last me the week toasted. I just eat some in the morning. Tried to make a gluten free one didn't work out well... never did the coeliac test. I have been of past reduce the rice, but beans and chick peas they are not easier for my system too! i tend to eat more potatoes and vegetables and lots of fruit.

[BlueKeith in reply to SlowDragon]

I am definitely not coeliac because I've had a test but it is interesting you say about gluten. I did stop eating gluten for a few months but slowly been reintroducing gluten after reading an article about people not eating gluten when they don't have to and missing out on nutrients and food choices. I've not had any obvious symptoms but I think I'm going to try gluten free and see if the brain fog improves. Thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BlueKeith]

Get thyroid tested 6-8 weeks after cutting gluten out completely

Always test early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 plus vitamin D,folate, ferritin and B12 testing….privately if necessary

[Zephyrbear]

Not to be too flippant, but could it perhaps be the quality 😶‍🌫️of the conversation? I quite often start by being quite interested in a conversation, but the longer it goes on, the more I zone out too…😳 I could daydream for Britain and unless I’m listening to music (which I’ll always sing along to) I will also be humming (can’t whistle anymore) the latest ear worm 🪱 that’s made it’s way into my brain… 😁

[Doris11]

Brain fog! Just awful! Or may be my age (57) 🤦‍♀️

[Verde1 in reply to Doris11]

Don't think so... my mum is 74 and her memory and brain work is better than mine!you are still young.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Verde1]

Please, would you start a new post for your issues?

It is confusing when someone other than the original poster, BlueKeith , starts asking about their issues.

Obviously, some posts are made for discussion, but when a member is asking specifically about themselves it is better to write a new post.

[Verde1 in reply to helvella]

Ok. Thank you. Sorry didn't realise.

[thyr01d]

Coming at this from another viewpoint, daydreaming is very, very, very good for humans!

[Anthea55]

Hi BlueKeith . I don't know if this is any help, but I wonder if you have a very mild case of epilepsy.

I suggest this because recently I read an interesting book called 'A Smell of Burning' by Colin Grant. It's written by a doctor whose younger brother developed epilepsy. I borrowed it from my local library's online library (so useful in lockdown), so I can't quote from it, but I seem to remember the idea that at it's mildest epilepsy can have symptoms very similar to those you describe.

Google for it - I found the Epilepsy Society and Epilepsy Action UK, both of which have telephone help lines. As with most things it's best to catch it early.

Good luck. I do hope that's helpful.