Brain fog - have to give up work!

[Anonymouse27]

I'm 50 and have developed chronic immune condition two years ago which included brain fog and fatigue. Some improvement when treated but not back to baseline.

I went back to GP in Sept as feeling worse and got Vit D and Folate as these were low. It helped briefly.

I have got worse again . My job is writing reports. I am so slow now that I will have to leave or be sacked. I will have to look for a different kind of work.

Do you think it might be menopause? Does HRT work (quickly)?

I am contacting GP later but they aren't always best informed. Thanks

Yes, HRT should help.
Has your thyroid and B12 been checked?
How is your sleep, it might be worth taking magnesium glycinate at night too.

When brain fog was affecting my performance at work I started on HRT and it has definitely helped.

My GP was fine but my BF had difficulty getting her GP to prescribe it. She ended up printing off the NICE guidelines and handing them over at an appointment before they prescribed them for her.

I thought I was going to have to leave my senior exec job due to brain fog, it's utterly depressing I know. HRT worked quite quickly for me. Good luck

@DustyLee123

Thanks.

I have hashi's. I felt thyroid-y is Sept. They said TSH fine and they don't test T4 in that case.
Bit D and folate low so have supplements
B12 was more than halfway through range but I've booked a private but B injection as I really want to keep my job if possible.

I am so tired. I'm really good at sleeping but still exhausted on waking.

Hopefully HRT will work quickly. I've read there is not much evidence for help with brain fog.

Sorry for so many typos!

Before HRT I took magnesium L-threonate for brain fog and found it worked

I'm 52. HRT helped my brain fog, which I would describe as debilitating. But I still wasn't back to my baseline.

Adjusting lifestyle factors as pp have suggested should help. I also recommend trying a supplement called "Lion's Mane", it gives me a further boost and really helps my cognition.

YES - if you aren’t on HRT get on it! Works v quickly, for me about 2-3 weeks.

NHS "normal" range for TSH is a bad joke. If you haven't already, ask for the actual number and compare with a result from when you felt ok. Hashi's usually gets worse over time so you may need a higher dose of thyroxine.

I have found that switching to a high fat diet has really helped with brain fog, energy and mood.

The rationale is that (some) hormones are made from dietary fat intake, natural fats are also necessary for cellular repair and vital for brain function.
If you are interested take a look at low carb/ high fat diets. Some people do promote really odd versions of this way of eating, but it can be as simple as eliminating processed carbs, and just eating meat, fish, eggs, dairy and vegetables.

I always direct people to HealthUnlocked - Thyroid UK. It’s an active forum and I guarantee they will give you great advice.

They helped me tremendously when I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid/Hashimotos.

If you get hold of a copy of your blood test results they’ll be able to help.

When I started HRT, the brain fog was the first symptom it helped, after only 4-5 days

Thanks all. GP have offered an appt on 13 Dec so hopefully will get something sorted then.

@LuubyLuu that is so encouraging, thank you. I hope I'm the same.

@Sajacas thanks. I have tried hard to do all the healthy lifestyle. I gave up gluten two years ago and don't do the gluten free stuff so that takes out pasta, baked goods and lots of processed foods, but I'll look more at this diet.

I used to exercise until about a month ago as I was finding my (usual) classes harder and having to give up part way through and then in pain for a couple days after. I feel like I'm falling to pieces!

@OneOliveEagle thanks. I have also found them brilliant. I ask there first then tell GO what is needed!

In Sept, I agreed to treat one thing at a time, however as my job and therefore home is at risk, I've changed my mind. I'd rather try everything and anything to get functional and then pare back what isn't needed.

Thanks to everyone for support and advice.

This is so true. I think the range goes up to about 4.8.

I feel best around 1 and terrible when it gets over 2.5. My thyroxine dose has been increased slightly about every 8 months over the past 3 years to keep on top of it. But every time I have to contact GP to arrange bloods, contact them again to request pharmacist appt and re-explain my medical history. Thyroid patients really have to advocate for themselves.

Yes hrt helped my brain fog enormously. Had to find the right dose for me which took about 6 months but it's improved my cognitive ability a lot in my opinion

It worked quickly for me too I was a hospital senior at the time. I recovered pretty quickly on HRT but I've never been quite the same since. I can work ok but I've lost interest in it. I want to retire but I've got 4 years left.
I'm definitely not as sharp as I was at 30 for academic work but I am definitely improved with people.

Yes I agree my brain fog has cleared for the most part but I've lost my interest in my job. At 48 I was still keen to learn new skills now at 54 I can't wait to retire.