Is this a normal ageing thing?

[EatThoseFrogs]

I've recently turned 33.

And all of a sudden, after being usually healthy I've got a torn rotator cuff from carrying something awkwardly, I broke my wrist by falling over and so many things don't agree with me foodwise - leading to bloating/diarrhea etc. Caffeine is having a bigger impact on me too.

The worst thing is definitely my memory. I've always been really good at recall - it was almost a party trick as I could repeat word-for-word what I'd read the previous week. I remember everything in conversations to the point I'd pretend I didn't because people would get a bit freaked out when I asked them about their daughter Jane's dentist appt that they mentioned a month ago ...

Now, I've forgetting loads. Not just in conversations but how films end or what I did last week/month/year. Its impacting work and my home life and I'm actually a bit terrified by the speed of it.

I'm realising I need to pay more attention to looking after myself but it all just seems so sudden!

33 seems very young to be noticing extreme changes IMO.

No I wouldn't say that's normal at 33. But if you have a condition that's causing brain fog, that could possibly lead to you being clumsier and hurting yourself. Sleep deprivation could cause the same.

How is life in general for you @EatThoseFrogs ?

At 70 - maybe? At 33 definitely not!

This is what I was thinking - I thought 33 was still young! I know things get a little harder as you age but I wasn't expecting this all to happen so quickly.

I've had a blood test for something else 8ish weeks ago and nothing showed up so don't think it is medical so to speak.

@AngleofTheNorth life is busy and I am under some stress at the moment with an ill parent, restructures in work and some change stuff. But I'm usually very healthy and these stressors aren't particularly new, most have been going on for a long while.

I've tried adding some vitamins to my day, cutting caffeine and trying to do better at getting some exercise in. I've just edged into the overweight category (BMI of 26) over the last year so trying to shift that too. Nothing seems to be making a difference so far though.

@Laurelin thanks for commenting. I don't think there's any condition really - think it would have showed in a blood test?

Definitely not sleep deprived, if anything, I'm sleeping more than usual.

Could it be early menopause?? Sounds like peri menopause symptoms

Blood tests are expensive (the more things they look for, the more expensive it it) so GPs usually only specify tests that are relevant to the condition they're investigating, ie they don't test for everything.

Do you know if your thyroid function was checked when you had your blood test? Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) can cause clumsiness/poor balance, brain fog, weight gain and fatigue (among many other things).

It's usually easily treated with a tablet once a day.

I was going to say ask for a thyroid function test too. Have you spoken to your gp about your symptoms?

I've had a blood test for something else 8ish weeks ago and nothing showed up so don't think it is medical so to speak

That depends entirely on what they tested.

Thyroid issues, low B12, low ferritin and low vitamin D can all cause brain fog and memory issues, even if the vitamin levels are in the low end of normal you can be symptomatic, yet dismissed by the GP. None of those tests would have been taken for a kidney issue or a neutrophils recheck for example, they are separate tests.

Thanks for the advice, hadn't realised how limited blood testing was but it does make sense!

Had a look on the App and it looks like my throid was tested and the "Serum TSH Level" came back at 0.9 mu/l which my GP has signed as normal so doesn't look like that.

I've always taken vitamin D so don't think it's that (hopefully!)

I really hope it's not menopause related- my Mum went through it quite late. I was hoping to have a while yet ...

Anyone else had anything similar? Particularly memory related

Try some b12 injections, then daily spray and get a box of spatone (iron) and see how you feel in a month. both of those really helped me.. I thought I was getting early onset dementia in my 30s!

I felt really out of sorts at 33 too - 5 years ago now

turner out I was very deficient in vitamin d and vitamin b12. Felt much better after taking those

now I’m 38, just had my 2nd baby and feeling about 80. No idea why this time