To wonder why I'm suddenly so thick?

[ProcrastinatorsAnonymous]

I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's wrong with me! Or at least what sort of tests to ask the GP for...

I've always been reasonably on the ball and do an intellectually demanding job. I'm now 2 kids in, early 40s and my brain has shuddered to a halt. I can't think straight and am really struggling to deliver on my work commitments.

It could just be that I'm knackered - I don't always sleep well, could probably eat better and I'm breastfeeding an 18 month old (only a couple of times a day now - doesn't really affect my sleep). I'm constantly unwell - have had an almost constant series of colds over past 12 months, culminating in shingles which was AWFUL.

OR - I wonder if this is peri menopause brain fog? Hard to know, as my periods haven't come back postpartum (they took well over 2 years after first child). I do sometimes get something that could be a hot flush.

OR - Could this be long covid? I've tested virtually every time I've had a cold and the tests have always been negative, but maybe I did have symptomless covid and this is a long tail on it...?

If there's something I can do to change this, I would really like to. I was planning to get blood tests for the following -

Full blood count, Kidney Function, Liver Function, Lipids, Ferritin, Thyroid function (TSH, T4 and T3), HbA1c, Oestradiol, Testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Folate

Is there anything else I should get tested for?

I work in a competitive creative industry and my ability to produce quality work is closely tied to my self esteem. I'm finding this alarming!

Thinning eyebrows would make me think hypothyroid. Mine started noticeably thinning (i.e. people commenting on it) about 5-8 years before my hypothyroid diagnosis. But you could also be generally run down with breastfeeding (anemic or deficient in some other micronutrient), or just starting perimenopause.

I would give up breastfeeding before I gave up my job.

You could use Thriva for blood tests.

I asked GP for blood tests. They are being done next week. Why are you thinking of going private. I wouldn't, I'd want it recorded on the nhs. Whatever it is.

I assumed the 2-3 jobs comment meant your actual job plus childcare plus nights. At this stage, you are spread pretty thin.

This happened to me in early forties and I assumed peri - however turned out to be b12 and iron deficiency. I am late forties now and feel great with no sign of the menopause yet. Regained my concentration and memory!

My husband has a b12 deficiency and has to have regular injections for it. Before he’s due his injection his brain gets very foggy so it’s worth exploring this. There are pharmacies now where you can pay £27 for a b12 injection, it might be worth exploring that in the interim to see if it helps.

Quit breastfeeding followed by 2 week holiday in Hawaii with personal butler and 24 hour crèche… then reassess.

Silly answer aside, ain’t no GP gonna put you on HRT whilst breastfeeding, that way madness lies. If only because, the simple things haven’t been tried yet.

Maybe see what actual evidence there is that you shouldn't be and take any HRT first than quit on the advice of peopl online, some info from someone who is a but more of an expert breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/the-menopause-and-breastfeeding?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-menopause-and-breastfeeding
You want to carry on, at least you have a sit down and rest when bf, if you wean you'll still have a toddler to deal with and one less way to keep him happy
Weaning would also speed up the return of periods, and perimenopause periods. aren't fun. Wouldn't help if it was something else either.

Look up estrogen or oestrogen and cognition.
There's lots of info - I don't know why it isn't talked about more.

To a degree, yes it has. But it doesn't fix everything 100%

When I had the menopause I lost spatial awareness, couldn't cross the road hardly and had panics.
Dr (female) said my hormone levels weren't down that much. I remonstrated that it was ruining my life and insisted on HRT. Ohh surpise. Felt much better within a week