Why is reading a book so difficult?

[Jamima]

I haven't been officially diagnosed with thyroid disease but over the past 4 years I've had some pretty compelling symptoms/odd test results, and in that time I've found it really difficult to read a book, I can do online newspaper articles and bits of social media but getting lost in a book seems like a herculean task and I used to love it. Is this part of a brainfog/thyroid problem and will it resolve when suitably medicated. I really miss it.

[FallingInReverse]

YES!

I’m busy myself trying to work and hold onto those foggy fleeting thoughts : )

But I read early on - not sure if it’s physiologically true - that thyroid hormones take longer to get through to the brain when it’s been starved for T3.

I could go into details of my horrible workdays , where digging deep exhausts me like I’m white-knuckled climbing to the top of a sheer mountaintop. Hard to the point of impossible. I sit in the moment with no choice but to get my job done and an hour of work takes like 8 hours (not exaggerating.) it’s an awful slog.

I will just say that very very recently I have seem glimmers of hope for myself. Being capable of a full days work of thinking and writing deep thoughts : )

That’s my 2 cents. Hang in there!

[Jamima in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you, that's cheering and positive. I might add that I find socialising exactly the same and have shut that down almost entirely.

[HealthStarDust in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thinking, reckoning, is exhausting for me these days.

[Jamima in reply to HealthStarDust]

Yes, I get that.

[J972]

Absolutely, I’m exactly the same. Much of my reading involves this forum and other stuff relating to my health.

Remind me of your thyroid blood results over the years - what’s been happening with your TSH, FT3, FT4…..thanks.

[Jamima in reply to J972]

Well 4 years ago I was TSH 0.88 (0.2-4.5) FT4 12(9-21) FT3 4.97(3.1-6.8)

This month I'm: TSH 2.81(0.27-4.2) FT412.7(12-22)FT33.9 (3.1-6.8)

I've self medicated along the way and had a variety of results but never really felt well on thyroid hormone which I suspect is because I also need to treat my adrenals.

[J972 in reply to Jamima]

Are the results from 4 years ago prior to self-medication? Have you ever tested positive for antibodies?

[Jamima in reply to J972]

Yes, the 1st results were pre any 'experiments'. Interestingly, I've just had some cortisol results back and other than the nighttime result, they're very similare which would explain why I still feel as crap as I did 4 years ago! And I've also experimented with Hydrocortisone in small doses which seems to have left no trail...

[Jamima in reply to J972]

Never tested positive for antibodies. I think I have secondary/tertiary hypo, and I'm trying to find a medic who might be open to and investigate this.

[J972 in reply to Jamima]

That’s what it looks like to me

[Jamima in reply to J972]

Yeah, the adrenal thing seems to fit with that too.

[Rosebud1955 in reply to J972]

OMG! That’s exactly happening to me, unable to read and do other things that I love to do. (Knitting and playing dominoes on line) What a mess! This thyroid disease, Endos and G.Ps have destroyed our lives. My reading is now limited to this forum and articles related to all my medical conditions which I feel is brought on by my lack of thyroid glands. I take comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. Sorry to hijack your post.

[Jamima in reply to Rosebud1955]

Not hijacking at all Rosebud1955, we're here to give our tuppence worth, and yes, it really is awful to have any zest for life just drain away. I'm reluctant to give up, always hopeful I'll find a solution somewhere and this place has been great. Thank again.

[HealthStarDust]

I have suffered this for years… way before diagnosis! I find non fiction slightly easier, but even then it’s difficult to retain the information from the page before, but I used love getting lost in a good fiction book.

[Jamima in reply to HealthStarDust]

It's frustrating and I feel I'm missing out.

[DawnD]

Hopefully it will resolve itself if (and when) you are diagnosed and are given thyroxine. I have always loved reading books, and, as far as I can remember, being undiagnosed didn't have any effect on me, although I had small children at the time and probably didn't get much chance to read a book! Now, 31 years later, I am loving reading books and read about 85 novels last year.

[Jamima in reply to DawnD]

Thank you Dawn, I've recently started self treating with levo again and have an appointment lined up with a doc who comes highly recommended from someone with similar symptoms, unfortunately this doc is very busy and not available until August so I'll keep plodding on. Great to hear that you've no problems with reading.

[Topsy33]

This is me too. Reading is a huge pleasure for me….I can still manage non fiction but I find fiction too tiring.

Likewise, social interaction. I avoid it as much as I can. It is actually stressful to me nowadays, even my family. Even a few hours of chatting can wipe me out for the following day.

I think wanting to avoid such things is an understandable reaction to the condition and is probably linked to the way our bodies function, energy wise.

Suspect that adrenals are involved too.

[Jamima in reply to Topsy33]

Yes, I think you're right Topsy33, it's about energy expenditure, I just have a very low tolerance threshold for nonsense, I enjoy some socialising with people who keep things light but I'm in no position to do drama or be an agony aunt. I really miss the reading though, might try something non taxing and see how I get on.