Memory Loss

[Karen_lee]

Hi I had covid in April 2022 and since then I have had terrible memory loss and can't remember things that had a few hours ago and people's names it has really scared me and was wondering if anyone else has had these side effects. I have had mild brain fog with my underactive thyroid but this has got a lot worse since I had covid.

[RedApple Administrator]

Karen_lee, How much and what type of thyroid medication are you currently taking? Have you had your thyroid levels tested recently? If yes, please tell us the results so that members can offer support. If not, then this would be a good thing to do as soon as you can.

[Karen_lee in reply to RedApple]

I am taking 125mg of Levo and had my test done about 6 weeks ago and they were fine. I will mention to doctor again when I speak to her on the 8th June and ask for my readings.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Karen_lee]

Karen_lee, what your doctor thinks is 'fine' may not actually be what is best for you. Please get the test details and post them here as soon as you can. Without this information, members cannot offer much help

[shaws Administrator in reply to Karen_lee]

When you get your results you can post them, with the ranges and members will be able to respond/suggest. Always request a print-out for your own records.

I've had a couple of responses from my surgery which were ridiculous.

You are probably aware of the following method advised when having your blood tests,

i.e. It is also a fasting test (you can drink water)The earliest possible blood draw allowing 24 hour gap between last dose of thyroid hormones.

Always get a print-out of your results from the surgery for your own records and post if you have a query.

If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate, request these too.

A 'Full Thyroid Blood Test' consists of:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

[Karen_lee in reply to shaws]

Thank you I will

[Hylda2]

My son tells me he has this problem after having Covid for the second time

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Karen_Lee

I was reading an article yesterday about how Covid can affect the brain causing problems with memory and concentration - brain fog. I don't remember which article it was but a Google search brings up a lot:

google.com/search?client=fi...

[Karen_lee]

Thank you I hope it is as I was worried it was something to do with my levels again. But this just felt different.

[humanbean]

This is a known problem :

reuters.com/business/health...

I had Covid last November. I lost my sense of smell entirely during Covid, but have gradually got it back (to a very small extent), although it is still a long way from what it was. After 7 months I'm assuming this is the best it will be from now on. I miss it - I used to have a very acute sense of smell, although it started getting worse long before Covid. Covid has just hugely speeded up the loss, I think.

My short-term memory is a lot worse than it used to be. And it seems that less detail about my life gets transferred from short to long-term memory. Luckily for me I don't have responsibility for children or pets and I'm retired, so my worsening memory hasn't dramatically affected me so far.

Three things I have found happening...

1) I will get a thought in my head, and lose it within a fraction of a second. It's like hitting a brick wall - everything in my brain just seems to stop. Occasionally I can get back to what I was thinking about, but a lot of the time its gone forever.

2) There are things I know, and I used to know why I knew something. In internet terms I could remember the bookmark(s) I had to back up the things I knew. But nowadays I find myself struggling to come up with the links I want to pass on in posts because I can't remember where to find them amongst my own bookmarks.

3) I used to be helpful to my zoom quiz team. I'm not any more.

[Karen_lee in reply to humanbean]

Thank you that is what I have been having in a split second forget what I was saying or what I was doing. I really thought I was getting early Dementia or something it is so scary. Hopefully it won't effect us long term.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP likely only tested TSH

You need full thyroid and vitamins tested at least once a year

Likely to need to do so privately

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

[DippyDame]

I wonder if your FT3 level has dropped (temporarily) after having covid...it can happen.

The brain needs a lot of T3.

If my T3 level drops it affects my cognitive function.....it was scary until I realised what was happening.

I'm 76 and need high dose T3-only....but not yet fearing dementia!

My mind goes blank....particularly names!

A small dose increase usually gets me back on track

Suggest a full thyroid test.