Written by Tara Boustany on
February 9, 2022
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Medically Reviewed by our Medical Affairs Team

Written by Tara Boustany on:

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Have you been having thyroid problems and you feel like you’re not yourself lately? Are you having trouble thinking clearly?

If so, you might be experiencing thyroid brain fog. This is a common symptom of thyroid disease, and it can make everyday life very difficult.

In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and remedies for thyroid fog.

We will also provide tips for how to manage your thyroid health. We hope that this information will help you regain your clarity and vitality.

So, let’s get started.

What exactly is thyroid fog?

Thyroid fog is a term used to describe the cognitive symptoms that can occur with thyroid disease. It refers to problems with memory, focus, concentration, and thinking clearly.

The symptoms of thyroid fog can be very mild or quite severe, and they can vary from person to person. Some thyroid patients might just feel a little bit “off,” while others may experience full-blown brain fog.

The good news is that thyroid fog is reversible. With proper treatment, you can start to feel like yourself again.

Let’s take a closer look at the causes and symptoms of thyroid brain fog.

Causes of Thyroid Brain Fog

There are many possible causes of thyroid fog. Here are some of the most common ones:

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common cause of thyroid fog. When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including brain fog. 

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that causes thyroid dysfunction. It is the most common cause of thyroid fog in women, and it’s estimated to affect more than 20 million thyroid patients worldwide (source).

Hyperthyroidism

When you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is producing too many thyroid hormones. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including brain fog and immune system dysfunction.  

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the thyroid glands and compromises the immune system. It can cause thyroid dysfunction and lead to brain fog. 

Thyroid Cancer

Though thyroid cancer is rare among other thyroid disorders, it’s still possible to develop thyroid fog as a result of this disease. This can occur when the thyroid gland becomes enlarged or inflamed due to the presence of thyroid tumors.

Hashitoxicosis

Hashitoxicosis is a thyroid condition that involves both high and low thyroid stimulating hormone levels. It often results from untreated thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. 

Iodine Deficiency

An iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, which may lead to brain fog. Iodine is an essential nutrient that is needed for enough thyroid hormone production.

Medications

Certain medications can cause thyroid dysfunction and brain fog. These include lithium, amiodarone, and interferon-alpha.

Poor Diet

A poor diet can also contribute to thyroid brain fog. If you’re not eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, you might be missing out on essential nutrients that are needed for your immune system to work and your thyroid to function properly.

Stress

Stress can also be a contributing factor to thyroid brain fog. When you’re stressed out, your body produces cortisol, which can interfere with thyroid hormone production.

Brain Fog Thyroid: Common Symptoms

The symptoms of thyroid brain fog can vary from person to person. However, there are some common thyroid fog symptoms that you should be aware of.

Here are the most common thyroid brain fog symptoms:

  • Trouble concentrating on tasks at hand.
  • Difficulty remembering things from day to day, such as names or places.
  • Feeling like your mind is in a “fog” all the time.
  • Forgetting what you were talking about mid-sentence.
  • Trouble finding the right words when speaking or writing. 
  • Difficulty multitasking and getting things done in a timely manner.
  • Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out all the time.
  • Low mood and energy levels.
  • Excessive fatigue, even after getting a good night’s sleep.
  • Restlessness and irritability.
  • Inability to focus on activities.
  • Sluggishness and a lack of energy.
  • Depression and anxiety.

Brain fog thyroid symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the person and their underlying thyroid condition.

For example, a person with hypothyroidism may experience severe brain fog symptoms, while someone who is mildly iodine-deficient might only have minor thyroid fog.

If you think you may have thyroid fog, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can diagnose thyroid brain fog through a physical exam and blood tests.

Thyroid and Brain Fog: Diagnosis

If you’re experiencing thyroid brain fog, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and order blood tests to diagnose the condition.

They may also ask you questions about your thyroid health, such as whether or not you’ve had thyroid surgery in the past.

Your doctor will look at your thyroid and brain fog symptoms to determine if they’re caused by an underlying thyroid condition.

For example, a person with hypothyroidism might experience severe thyroid fog that comes on suddenly and lasts for several weeks.

On the other hand, someone who is mildly iodine-deficient might only have thyroid fog symptoms once or twice a month and these brain fog symptoms often go away after eating something with iodine in it (such as seaweed). 

If you think your thyroid and brain fog are related, it’s important to talk with your doctor. They can help diagnose thyroid fog through a physical exam and blood tests. 

Brain Fog Thyroid: Treatment and Prevention

If you’re experiencing thyroid brain fog, there are several things that you can do to help treat it. Here are some of the most effective treatments for thyroid brain fog:

Take Thyroid Medication

Taking thyroid medication can help regulate thyroid hormone levels and prevent thyroid fog symptoms. Talk to your doctor about whether or not thyroid medication is right for you. 

Get Enough Iodine

Iodine is an essential nutrient that is needed for thyroid hormone production. Make sure you’re getting enough iodine in your diet by eating plenty of iodine-rich foods, such as seafood, seaweed, and iodized salt.

Reduce Stress Levels

Stress can be a major contributor to thyroid brain fog. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, try to find ways to reduce your stress levels. This might include practicing meditation or yoga, journaling, or spending time outdoors in nature.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is another great way to reduce stress levels and improve thyroid function. Exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones that help relieve stress and anxiety.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is key for thyroid function and good gut health. If you’re not getting enough nutrients in your diet, it might be contributing to thyroid brain fog symptoms.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night is essential for optimal health. When you’re overtired, it can be difficult to focus and think clearly. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Brain fog thyroid can be frustrating and debilitating. However, there are several things that you can do to help treat it. By following the tips above, you can reduce thyroid fog symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Thyroid and Memory Loss: What You Need to Know

In addition to thyroid fog, another common symptom of thyroid disease is memory loss. Memory loss can be mild or severe, and it often affects people’s ability to concentrate and focus.

If you’re experiencing memory loss and think it might be related to your thyroid function, talk to your doctor. They can help diagnose thyroid disease and recommend proper treatment options. 

Symptoms of thyroid and memory loss include difficulty remembering recent events, finding the right words in conversations, or forgetting important dates.

People with thyroid disease may also have trouble recalling information that was just said to them. They might forget where they left their keys or wallet, what time dinner is supposed to start at home tonight (even though it was just told), or where they put their glasses down after reading this article.

Thyroid and memory loss are often related because thyroid hormones regulate brain function, including the ability to remember things that happened recently.

If thyroid hormone levels become too high or low, it can lead to thyroid fog symptoms like forgetting what someone just said or difficulty concentrating. 

However, if you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t panic. There are several things that you can do to help address the problem.

Talk to your doctor about getting your thyroid levels checked. They can run blood tests to determine whether or not your thyroid is causing your memory loss.

If it is, they might recommend thyroid medication to help regulate your hormone levels.

In addition, make sure you’re eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise. These are two important ways to support thyroid health and improve brain function.

Finally, try to get plenty of sleep each night. When you’re well-rested, it’s easier to concentrate and focus on tasks throughout the day.

If memory loss, brain fog, and thyroid symptoms don’t go away after taking medication or making lifestyle changes, talk to your doctor again about other treatment options that might be available for you. 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for thyroid and brain fog or memory loss, so it’s important to work with a health professional to find the best treatment plan for you.

Takeaway

Thyroid and brain fog can be frustrating and debilitating. However, by following the tips above, you can reduce thyroid fog symptoms. enhance your immune system, and improve your quality of life.

If memory loss is a problem for you, talk to your doctor about getting your thyroid levels checked. There might be something that they can do to help regulate your hormone levels and improve your thyroid fog symptoms.

If you want to learn more about brain fog and how to get rid of it effectively, check out these educational resources and feel free to join this online community of brain health professionals and enthusiasts. 

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