How does hypothyroidism affect cognitive function. What are the best ways to improve memory for people with thyroid issues. Can lifestyle changes help manage brain fog associated with hypothyroidism. Is medication essential for addressing memory problems in thyroid patients.

The Link Between Thyroid Function and Cognitive Abilities

Hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by low thyroid hormone levels, can have far-reaching effects on the body, including cognitive function. The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism throughout the body, and this includes the brain. When thyroid hormone levels are insufficient, it can lead to various symptoms, including memory issues and difficulty concentrating.

Dr. Joel Zonszein, an endocrinologist and director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, emphasizes that for many individuals, cognitive symptoms like brain fog are often temporary. Early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism can help normalize metabolic processes, potentially alleviating memory problems and other associated symptoms.

The Impact of Untreated Hypothyroidism on Cognition

If left untreated, severe or persistent hypothyroidism can lead to significant changes in the body. Beyond the commonly known symptoms such as weight gain and swelling, cognitive issues may become more pronounced. However, Dr. Zonszein notes that these extreme cases are relatively rare.

Fortunately, thyroid hormone testing is highly sensitive and readily available. This allows healthcare providers to accurately determine if a patient is receiving the appropriate amount of medication. It’s crucial for individuals experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism to consult their doctor, undergo testing, and receive proper treatment if necessary.

The Role of Medication in Managing Cognitive Symptoms

Proper medication management is the cornerstone of addressing cognitive issues related to hypothyroidism. Dr. Zonszein emphasizes that when thyroid hormone levels are correctly replaced through medication, memory problems should not be a significant concern for most patients.

Best Practices for Thyroid Medication

• Take medication consistently at the same time each day
• Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage
• Take thyroid hormone on an empty stomach for optimal absorption
• Attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper dosage
• Never stop taking medication without consulting your healthcare provider

The American Thyroid Association recommends taking thyroid hormone on an empty stomach at the same time daily for best results. It’s crucial to maintain consistency in your medication regimen and to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider.

Lifestyle Strategies to Enhance Memory and Cognitive Function

While proper medication management is essential, there are several lifestyle strategies that can help improve memory and cognitive function for individuals with hypothyroidism. These approaches can be beneficial for anyone looking to boost their mental acuity, regardless of thyroid status.

Physical Activity and Social Engagement

Staying active, both physically and socially, can have a significant impact on brain health. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) reports that exercise has been found to stimulate the brain’s ability to maintain existing neural connections and form new ones. A study published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society in July 2019 demonstrated that moderate exercise led to an immediate and significant increase in memory performance among participants.

To incorporate more activity into your routine, consider:

• Engaging in regular aerobic exercise
• Participating in group fitness classes
• Joining social clubs or community organizations
• Pursuing hobbies that involve physical activity
• Taking walks with friends or family members

The Importance of Quality Sleep

Dr. Zonszein emphasizes the crucial role of deep, restful sleep in maintaining optimal brain function. To improve sleep quality, try the following strategies:

1. Maintain a cool, dark sleeping environment
2. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals close to bedtime
3. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine (e.g., warm bath, meditation, reading)
4. Adhere to a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends
5. Limit screen time before bed to reduce blue light exposure

Cognitive Exercises and Memory-Boosting Techniques

Engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the mind can help improve memory and cognitive function. Consider incorporating the following strategies into your daily routine:

Memory Games and Brain Training

Playing memory games and using brain training apps or programs can help keep your mind sharp. These activities often target specific cognitive skills such as attention, processing speed, and working memory. While the long-term benefits of brain training are still debated in the scientific community, many individuals find these exercises enjoyable and potentially beneficial.

Single-Tasking and Focused Attention

In our multitasking-oriented world, practicing focused attention on a single task can significantly improve memory and concentration. The American Psychological Association suggests eliminating distractions and giving full attention to one activity at a time to enhance cognitive performance.

Mnemonic Devices and Repetition

When learning new information or trying to remember important details, using mnemonic devices and repetition can be highly effective. For example, when meeting new people, repeat their names several times in conversation to help cement the information in your memory.

Organizational Strategies for Daily Life

Implementing organizational systems can help alleviate the stress of forgetfulness and improve overall cognitive function. Consider the following approaches:

Consistent Scheduling and Routines

Establishing a consistent daily schedule can help reduce cognitive load and make it easier to remember important tasks and appointments. Try to perform routine activities at the same time each day to create a sense of structure and predictability.

Utilizing Memory Aids and Reminders

The National Institute on Aging recommends using various tools to help manage daily tasks and appointments:

• To-do lists and sticky notes
• Smartphone reminders and calendar apps
• Large wall calendars for visual planning
• Voice-activated digital assistants for hands-free reminders

Designated Storage Spaces

Reduce the likelihood of misplacing important items by designating specific storage locations for commonly used objects such as:

• Keys
• Wallet or purse
• Eyeglasses
• Medications
• Important documents

The Long-Term Outlook for Cognitive Health with Hypothyroidism

While thyroid issues often require lifelong management, proper treatment and lifestyle modifications can significantly improve cognitive function and overall quality of life for individuals with hypothyroidism. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, consistent medication adherence, and implementation of memory-boosting strategies can help maintain optimal cognitive health.

Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment

It’s essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to monitor thyroid hormone levels and adjust treatment as needed. Periodic blood tests and symptom assessments can help ensure that your thyroid function remains within the optimal range for cognitive health.

Addressing Comorbid Conditions

Individuals with hypothyroidism may be at increased risk for other health conditions that can impact cognitive function, such as depression or vitamin B12 deficiency. Regular health screenings and open communication with your healthcare provider can help identify and address any additional factors affecting your cognitive health.

Emerging Research and Future Directions

The field of thyroid health and cognitive function continues to evolve, with ongoing research exploring new treatment approaches and potential interventions. Some areas of current interest include:

Personalized Medicine Approaches

Researchers are investigating ways to tailor thyroid hormone replacement therapy to individual patients based on genetic factors and other biomarkers. This personalized approach may lead to more effective treatment outcomes and improved cognitive function for those with hypothyroidism.

Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Techniques

Studies are exploring the potential benefits of targeted cognitive training programs for individuals with thyroid-related cognitive impairment. These interventions aim to improve specific cognitive domains such as attention, memory, and executive function.

Nutritional Interventions

Research is ongoing into the role of specific nutrients and dietary patterns in supporting thyroid function and cognitive health. Future studies may provide insights into optimal nutrition strategies for individuals with hypothyroidism.

As our understanding of the relationship between thyroid function and cognitive health continues to grow, new strategies for managing memory and cognitive issues in hypothyroidism may emerge. Staying informed about the latest research and maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider can help ensure that you receive the most up-to-date and effective care for your thyroid-related cognitive concerns.

9 Ways to Improve Your Memory If You Have Hypothyroidism

Low thyroid levels can affect all of your organs, your brain included. Find out what you can do to protect your cognitive abilities.

By Marie SuszynskiMedically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD

Reviewed: January 30, 2020

Medically Reviewed

Use reminders on your phone to keep you on schedule.iStock

Forgetting where you left your keys, having a name slip from your mind, struggling to concentrate — these can all be part of frustrating brain fog or memory issues related to hypothyroidism.

Thyroid hormone regulates metabolism in every organ of the body, including the brain. When thyroid hormone is low, it can affect your memory span and ability to concentrate.

For many people, brain fog is a fleeting symptom. When hypothyroidism is diagnosed and treated early, metabolic processes normalize and you may not have a problem with memory issues or other symptoms hypothyroidism can cause, says Joel Zonszein, MD, an endocrinologist and director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.

But if you don’t take medication and continue to have a very low thyroid hormone level, you could end up with severe or persistent hypothyroidism, which can cause many changes in your body. In addition to weight gain, swelling, and vascular changes, your hypothyroidism symptoms can include cognitive problems. But these are extreme cases, Dr. Zonszein adds.

The good news: It’s very easy to test your thyroid hormone, and the tests are sensitive enough for your doctor to know if you’re taking the right amount of medication, he says. So talk to your doctor about possible symptoms of hypothyroidism, get tested, and get treated if necessary. “If we replace thyroid correctly, memory problems shouldn’t be a factor,” Zonszein says.

Tips to Improve Your Memory

Hypothyroidism that’s treated properly shouldn’t cause persistent brain fog or memory concerns. But anyone can experience issues with memory or concentration from time to time. These strategies can help:

Take your medication.  The best thing you can do for your memory is to get your thyroid hormone back to a healthy level, and that means taking your medication regularly and correctly and going back to your doctor for follow-up appointments to be sure you’re taking the right dosage, Zonszein says. The American Thyroid Association says it’s best to take your thyroid hormone on an empty stomach at the same time every day, and to not stop taking it without first talking to your doctor.

Get out of the house, and get moving. Staying active has an important effect on the brain, so keep up with your hobbies and social activities, along with exercise. Physical activity is associated with a better working brain, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), which says that exercise has been found to stimulate your brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones. A study published in July 2019 in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society found that immediately following moderate exercise, participants showed a significant increase in memory.

Get a good night’s sleep. The deep sleep you get from a good night’s slumber helps keep your brain functioning well, Zonszein says. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, try these tips:

• Keep your bedroom dark and cool
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals too close to bedtime
• Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual, like taking a warm bath, meditating, or reading a book you enjoy
• Stick to a schedule: Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekend

Play memory games. Anything that keeps your mind working, including computer games designed to make your brain sharper, is a good idea.

Focus on one thing at a time. Set your attention on only one thing, eliminate distractions like TV, and try not to let your mind drift to other things. When you focus like this, you’re more likely to be able to concentrate and remember what you’re doing, notes the American Psychological Association.

Stick to a schedule. When you do something at the same time every day and in the same sequence, it will be easier to remember.

Use tools to help you remember. If brain fog has you forgetting appointments, use tools like to-do lists, sticky notes, reminders on your phone, or a large wall calendar to help you stay on track, the NIA recommends.

Designate a place for your things. Keep your keys, wallet, purse, glasses, day calendar, and phone in the same place so you’re less likely to misplace them.

Repeat names and other important information. When you meet someone new or a doctor is giving you important information about your health, repeating the information back to the person or in your mind a few times can help you remember, Zonszein notes.

Thyroid problems can last a lifetime, so it means you’ll have to continue taking medication and seeing your doctor to ensure your levels stay healthy. But taking those steps to get treatment also means that memory issues related to hypothyroidism won’t last.

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Why can forgetfulness appear?

If you are in your early 40s, then the cause of your memory problems most likely has nothing to do with Alzheimer’s disease.

Tags:

Diseases

What do these symptoms mean?

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If you find it difficult to find the right word, remember the phone number, and performing usual tasks takes an unusually long time, you should definitely make an appointment with a doctor. Yes, all this can be a signal of a neurological disorder, but if you are 40 years old and a little older, then memory problems are more likely to indicate other diseases.

Contents of the article

Anemia

The lower the level of hemoglobin in the blood, the less oxygen the brain receives and, accordingly, the more difficult it is for it to cope with its tasks. If you have been diagnosed with anemia for a long time, be sure to monitor your hemoglobin levels and take action if it drops (and memory deterioration, as well as cognitive decline, is a red flag for you, warning that it is time for another check). If you have not suffered from anemia before, take a general blood test and pay attention to the hemoglobin level: if it is below 120 g/l, you need to make an appointment with a doctor.

Inflammatory process

Any inflammation inevitably causes intoxication – poisoning. And the stronger it is, the greater the negative load on the brain, the more difficult it is for it to cope with tasks. Anyone who has ever had the flu or a severe ARVI remembers this feeling, when the convolutions seem to barely move, and any tasks that used to be solved almost by themselves now require almost supernatural efforts. Take a general blood test, pay attention to the indicators of leukocytes and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate): if they are high, most likely there is an inflammatory process in the body, and it’s time to see a doctor.

Thyroid diseases

Two of the most common thyroid diseases, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, affect our memory equally badly. With hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland produces less specific hormones than our body needs, the metabolism slows down, and we ourselves experience a state resembling depression, which is also accompanied by a weakening of memory. If too much hormones are produced (hyperthyroidism), our nervous system is constantly in a state of overstrain, nerve cells are depleted, memory and cognitive abilities decrease. Make an appointment with an endocrinologist, check the condition of the thyroid gland and get tested for the corresponding hormones – in any case, this should be done once a year, especially in those regions where there is a deficiency of iodine and sunlight.

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Hypertension and hypotension

Both elevated (from 130/90 mm Hg and above) and low (less than 110/70 mm Hg) blood pressure has a bad effect on memory and the ability to concentrate and process information. With increased pressure, the vessels become narrow and cannot provide sufficient blood supply to the brain, and with low pressure, the blood pressure in the arteries and vessels is too weak to deliver enough oxygen to the brain. Control your blood pressure, especially if you are over 40 years old – this is one of the most important indicators of our health.

Diabetes mellitus

The main source of energy for nerve cells is glucose. With diabetes, there is a lot of it in the blood, however, due to increased tolerance to insulin, “fuel” cannot penetrate into the cell, and our brain is forced to exist on starvation rations.