Memory loss - names at work

[middleager]

I'm 49 and work in a professional role that involves meeting people and sharing information. In short, recalling names is important!

Last year I got Covid. After this, I suffered memory issues. This coincided with the perimenopause. I was placed on HRT. My GP admitted it was hard to determine if some of my symptoms like the memory loss were Covid/Peri/both. I undertook various blood tests for other suggestions. I had low B12 and Vitamin D but those levels are OK now.

The memory improved a bit in the following months, but I still have massive issues around recalling names. It might be a famous person, a colleague, a family member. Even in my immediate family of 4 household!

Work were aware of the memory loss after Covid, but not my ongoing issues, and I'm worried about the impact at work, especially as I have to write and share written information publicly.

For example, we had a new starter and I was introducing her to the wider team. I couldn't remember people's names, I nearly called somebody I know really well by a different name. I nearly introduced the new starter by my boss' name etc. Aware of my issues, I tried to avoid any mention of names - a bit hard, given the circumstances.

I was at an event yesterday and asked a colleague if her new team member had met Sarah (our fellow colleague). She asked "which Sarah?" I couldn't remember Sarah's surname, so I just said "Our Sarah." This is relevant, as my colleague who asked "which Sarah?" is the HR lead and was aware of my original memory loss issues.

I don't know what to do. I feel awkward talking to my male boss who's my age and a bit of a joker. But I'm concerned I might make a mistake or be fired.

And just to ask, when I did raise my memory issues after Covid with this HR lead, she was a little dismissive, saying it could be menopause, that she herself was going through menopause, but then she made a joke saying "I know what you mean. I forget things all the time! It's to be expected at our age." so I feel I cannot talk to her either!

I've experienced similar with both meno and covid. I completely emphasise!

I can say that slowly raising my hrt does seem to be helping more. Also I'd make sure b12 and vit d are "optimal" rather than ok / within range.

Also rule out thyroid issues.

Other than that, it could return over time - I do think it takes ages and practise. (Teacher, work with 80 staff and similar number of kids in different classes each week so I do find it hard! It's definitely improving, slowly.)

Has your GP sent you for a Thyroid function blood test OP?

You said you were 'placed on HRT' which makes it sound as if you weren't pro active in that choice.

Have you had a review of your dose?

Memory loss is a huge symptom in menopause. It may be something as simple as increasing the dose of estrogen you are on.

what type and dose are you using?

Thanks for your responses. In true fashion, I forgot about this thread until I just got in! I then forgot what the name for Yorkshire Puddings is..and batter....it was so frustrating explaining to my husband "I need you to make that thing with eggs...."

I have eliminated thyroid (sort of) it's borderline and to be reviewed in a few months.
I take Vitamin D and B12 and last week's blood test came back OK which was an improvement on last time when both were woefully low (post Covid).

I willingly went on HRT - in fact, I begged for it, but I am wondering about the dose. I did tell my GP in the summer (after a month or so on HRT) that I didn't feel any different, although my memory had improved slightly. She said they'd review it again in 6 months.

I think I'm going to have to call up again. I'm on Utrogestan tablets (2x 100mg) and Oestrogel gel (750mcg x 2 pumps). I'm not sure if those doses are standard.

I'm still not sleeping well either, which is another factor in the poor memory loss.

I have a general meeting with my boss tomorrow, and I think I'm going to have to raise it, as I'm worried about making mistakes.

@middleager Very simple solution (perhaps!) is up your gel to 3 pumps. You might notice an improvement in a couple of weeks.

The leaflet says up to 4 pumps a day is fine.

Utrogestan 200mgs? Is that 12 days a month? (not each day.)

Oh I so sympathise! My memory problems I think/ hope menopausal. Hrt has helped but need to take vitamins as well. Remember to that is!
I forget words, names. I worried dementia... hrt has improved it but not entirely...

In my mithered state, I did not even think of that, doh! Great idea thanks. I am on Utrogestan 100mg 2 at night for 12 days each month.

I did worry it was dementia too. I'm glad this has helped you. I wasn't too bad over the summer on holiday, but now I'm back on the cycle of work, school, etc. it's worse (or maybe more noticeable because I have to remember more than what to pack for the beach..)

When you say your Thyroid is borderline, do you know your TSH level? The very fact that you're to have follow up Thyroid Function Bloods in a couple of months suggests there may be something.
Best piece of advice to get an accurate TSH recording is make sure you have your bloods taken first thing in the morning. The earliest possible phlebotomy appointment. TSH levels follow a 24 hour circadian pattern and are highest in the early hours of the morning, dropping down steeply in the afternoon.
I've had the same issues as you, forgetting words and memory issues but taking appropriate HRT and being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and starting replacement therapy for that, gradually alleviated and eradicated all these issues.

My TSH was 6. I recall the appointment was late morning, maybe 11.30am. I didn't know about the timing.

I too feel less ditsy in the holidays. Stress of work seems to magnify brain fog

That's classed as sub clinical hypothyroidism. I'm fairly sure that within the nice guidelines you can request thyroxine if you also have symptoms. Which you do. Id look at the others and see if there's anything else eg constipation.

I am an absolute wreck at that level.

Call the British thyroid association helplines to double check.

You could post on the forum health unlocked / thyroid Uk but some self medicate and I would suggest you work within the nhs guidance.

On checking it looks like they're following the 3 month apart thing? In which case make sure next test is as early in the morning as you can manage. Tsh is higher.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypothyroidism/management/subclinical-hypothyroidism-non-pregnant/

Consider offering a 6-month trial of LT4 monotherapy in adults less than 65 years of age if:
◦ The TSH level is above the reference range but lower than 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the reference range on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart, and
◦ There are symptomss_ of hypothyroidism.
▪ If symptoms do not improve after starting LT4 therapy, measure the TSH level and if it remains raised, adjust the dose of LT4. Once the TSH level is stable (2 similar measurements within the reference range 3 months apart), check TSH annually.
▪ If symptoms persist when the TSH is within the reference range, consider stopping LT4 therapy, and assess for alternative causess_ of symptoms.
◦ Recheck serum lipids if needed, to see if they have improved or whether management for dyslipidaemia is needed. See the CKS topics on CVD risk assessment and managementt and Lipid modification - CVD preventionn for more information.

Thanks, hats. I'm going to do some more research as I do have some other symptoms, like constipation, dry skin etc, and get in touch with the GP.

I had a sort of body break down/ cfs thing, part of which was due to uncontrolled hypothyroidism, and was off work for some time. Oc health said that having this condition is classed as having relevance/ protection under the disability act due to how badly it can affect people, memory and brain fog being an early chronic issue.

I would really push all the symptoms with Gp and ramifications they're having at work. Get bloods done around 9 am. A friend thought she had Alzheimer's so you're not being unreasonable!

Peri symptoms are very similar so tackle both.

Testosterone!
Absolutely changed my life with regard to brain fog!

I'll ask about that too.

Oh gawd, I am still in a snit about a colleague (X) who forgot something we talked about yesterday. For a good 5-7 minutes (with another colleague), we talked about why we should do Y not ABC. Today I get email: "We need to experiment, what about ABC, why didn't you do ABC in latest update?!" X said. It occurs to me that X doesn't take notes in meetings so may be that's why they forgot. They remember topics not decisions. Or maybe it's because X is about 50yo & we know what a transition difficult period that is for ... women. Too bad X is a bloke. And he's driving me nuts with dozens of examples of his dozey memory!! I'm age mid 50s so I humbly submit it's not age or sex or menopause. X was my drinking buddy 30 years ago who never showed memory loss then. They're just a ditz nowadays.

I could also rant about my hyper-emotional office mates, they are living proof that age ~30 men should not be allowed in office jobs : they are too emotional for it. They are constantly overwrought about mortgages, promotion, whatever else.