Aa
indecision queen
I have had such major problems with making decisions and following through on them that it is really making me question my brain. I had Graves onset a year ago but was sick a few months before that. I wonder if this is why. I have some important life decisions that are hard to make with lots of pros and cons and big consequences and literally change my mind sometimes within a day about where I stand! I can't manage my life like this and I'm pretty sure I didn't used to be this way. In terms of labs I've been near the bottom of the FT4 range with some hypo symptoms because the methimazole drove me too low. Can anyone relate to this?
hi shiny76,
i have the same problems with my brain. i used to love organizing and now my brain isn't organizing info the way it used to. it's so hard to explain. i kept seeing docs and kept getting a diagnosis of depression. i know the same way you know that this isn't depression it's a brain functioning problem. i am now seeing an alternative med doc. i have low thyroid syndrome where my body temp consistently below 98 and my t3 low, tsh and t4 always normal. these are the hallmark symptoms but there are a lot more. i just started with him but from the testing he had me take it looks like he believes i have a neurotransmitter problem or deficiency. the treatment is called targeted amino acid therapy. so far i've only read reviews of the supplements used to treat it and they average from a 4.5 to a 4.8. i haven't been able to find any reviews for TAAT. i see the alt doc this week so i will be starting Targeted Amino Acid Therapy this week as well. part of this brain problem is memory. if it works my memory should improve and i'll remember to update here of my progress. i may start my own thread asking if anyone has done TAAT.
i have the same problems with my brain. i used to love organizing and now my brain isn't organizing info the way it used to. it's so hard to explain. i kept seeing docs and kept getting a diagnosis of depression. i know the same way you know that this isn't depression it's a brain functioning problem. i am now seeing an alternative med doc. i have low thyroid syndrome where my body temp consistently below 98 and my t3 low, tsh and t4 always normal. these are the hallmark symptoms but there are a lot more. i just started with him but from the testing he had me take it looks like he believes i have a neurotransmitter problem or deficiency. the treatment is called targeted amino acid therapy. so far i've only read reviews of the supplements used to treat it and they average from a 4.5 to a 4.8. i haven't been able to find any reviews for TAAT. i see the alt doc this week so i will be starting Targeted Amino Acid Therapy this week as well. part of this brain problem is memory. if it works my memory should improve and i'll remember to update here of my progress. i may start my own thread asking if anyone has done TAAT.
Your symptom is listed under cognitive dysfunction (also known as brain fog). I found this online from with Mary Shomon interviewing Dr. Kevin Passero...
Mary Shomon: You have a particular interest in neurotransmitter balance. Can you talk about how this comes into play for thyroid patients -- in particular, people with Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease?
Kevin Passero, ND: Neurotransmitters play a key role in how our brain functions. They dictate things like mood, focus, concentration and memory. Many people suffer from neurotransmitter imbalances due to a variety of reasons, including genetics, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, drug use, and disease states.
Thyroid hormone imbalances can play a role in neurotransmitter balance and for some thyroid patients it can be incredibly useful to include strategies to regulate neurotransmitters while working to manage the thyroid issues. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, PMS, ADD and ADHD are some of the main issues that will manifest if neurotransmitters are out of balance.
My approach does not utilize any pharmaceutical interventions. I rely on something called Targeted Amino Acid Therapy (TAAT) which is sometimes referred to as orthomolecular medicine. This unique approach takes advantage of the biochemical fact that just about all neurotransmitters are made from simple amino acids. By supplementing with the right amino acids in combination with the correct vitamin and mineral cofactors, we can boost or reduce desired neurotransmitters in the body and have a significant impact on neurotransmitter related disorders."
Mary Shomon: You have a particular interest in neurotransmitter balance. Can you talk about how this comes into play for thyroid patients -- in particular, people with Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease?
Kevin Passero, ND: Neurotransmitters play a key role in how our brain functions. They dictate things like mood, focus, concentration and memory. Many people suffer from neurotransmitter imbalances due to a variety of reasons, including genetics, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, drug use, and disease states.
Thyroid hormone imbalances can play a role in neurotransmitter balance and for some thyroid patients it can be incredibly useful to include strategies to regulate neurotransmitters while working to manage the thyroid issues. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, PMS, ADD and ADHD are some of the main issues that will manifest if neurotransmitters are out of balance.
My approach does not utilize any pharmaceutical interventions. I rely on something called Targeted Amino Acid Therapy (TAAT) which is sometimes referred to as orthomolecular medicine. This unique approach takes advantage of the biochemical fact that just about all neurotransmitters are made from simple amino acids. By supplementing with the right amino acids in combination with the correct vitamin and mineral cofactors, we can boost or reduce desired neurotransmitters in the body and have a significant impact on neurotransmitter related disorders."
Magnesium is brain food. If you need it you can actual feel the benefit, in the brain, digestive system and muscles. Anxiety and depression can be slightly similar but different. Many thyroid people have thyroid induced anxiety.
No matter what the cause, a high quality magnessium can help. High quality magnesium like mag glycinate or citrate, not mag oxide (does nothing).
No matter what the cause, a high quality magnessium can help. High quality magnesium like mag glycinate or citrate, not mag oxide (does nothing).
Hi all, this really isn't depression - I wrestle with that bear too. Or brain fog. This is something else like I can't organize the information in brain and come to a conclusion that I stick to. Like two hours later I can look at the same information and come to the opposite conclusion. This did not used to happen to me pre-Graves. This has been going on for quite some time though my labs show me to be on the low end of normal range for FT4, don't have details handy.
Multi minerals would be the same as taking multi vitamins. I live in Australia but i recently ordered from Life Extension in the US. I ordered from this company as they have excellent health articles and a reputation to maintain. I am very impressed with their products not to mention the price. $73 for NAC in Australia and $14 for NAC (with $7.50 postage) from Life Extension. Decisions, decisions...oh wait LOL
A very good reason to balance calcium and magnesium as there is scientific evidence pointing to high calcium/low magnesium leading to calcification, or hardening, of arteries, osteoporosis and osteoporotic bone fractures. I have a calcified mitral heart valve from severe magnesium deficiency so i don't need the scientific evidence!
The key to calcium-magnesium balance is at a cellular level so you have to look at the entire diet and supplements you are taking.
Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, Medical Director, Nutritional Magnesium Association and author of The Magnesium Miracle has this to say about magnesium and calcium...
"It is difficult to get enough magnesium through diet to even meet the minimum RDA requirements. It has been farmed out of the soil and eliminated from most processed foods. I recommend monitoring dietary calcium intake, supplementing with vitamin D3, getting the minimum daily requirement of magnesium, and going for a 1:2 or at least a 1:1 calcium-magnesium balance."
A very good reason to balance calcium and magnesium as there is scientific evidence pointing to high calcium/low magnesium leading to calcification, or hardening, of arteries, osteoporosis and osteoporotic bone fractures. I have a calcified mitral heart valve from severe magnesium deficiency so i don't need the scientific evidence!
The key to calcium-magnesium balance is at a cellular level so you have to look at the entire diet and supplements you are taking.
Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, Medical Director, Nutritional Magnesium Association and author of The Magnesium Miracle has this to say about magnesium and calcium...
"It is difficult to get enough magnesium through diet to even meet the minimum RDA requirements. It has been farmed out of the soil and eliminated from most processed foods. I recommend monitoring dietary calcium intake, supplementing with vitamin D3, getting the minimum daily requirement of magnesium, and going for a 1:2 or at least a 1:1 calcium-magnesium balance."
Red_Star, can one take a multi-mineral pill like one takes a multi-vitamin? If so, do you know of a brand or where one might find this? Also, do you know how much magnesium per X amount of calcium is appropriate? This is an interesting excerpt. I am passing it on to a friend. Thanks!
An article by by David Gersten, M.D. called "Natural Treatment of Depression" goes into more detail but here are a few highlights..
"Mainstream medicine has lost sight of the fact that nutrients in our diet are the precursors of neurotransmitters, just as nutrients make up 100% of the body. Amino acids are the precursors to every neurotransmitter, with the exception of acetylcholine."
"How can you tell if your feeling of depression or the blues is a serotonin or norepinephrine problem? When norepinephrine is deficient, the person will feel depressed, and generally has an array of cognitive problems, such as decreased memory and concentration, brain fog, indecision, irritability, increased worry, anger, and insomnia.
Serotonin deficiency is associated with depressed mood and insomnia. There can be some cognitive problems, but they are much less frequent and intense than in norepinephrine-related depression."
"Let’s summarize the initial supplements for treating depression:
1) L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan or both - depending on what the lab data indicates. 2) P-5-P, 3) B complex, 4) multivitamin, 5) multi-mineral, 6) magnesium, which needs to be taken with calcium to keep the two in balance, 7) Vitamin C, and 8) sublingual B12."
"Mainstream medicine has lost sight of the fact that nutrients in our diet are the precursors of neurotransmitters, just as nutrients make up 100% of the body. Amino acids are the precursors to every neurotransmitter, with the exception of acetylcholine."
"How can you tell if your feeling of depression or the blues is a serotonin or norepinephrine problem? When norepinephrine is deficient, the person will feel depressed, and generally has an array of cognitive problems, such as decreased memory and concentration, brain fog, indecision, irritability, increased worry, anger, and insomnia.
Serotonin deficiency is associated with depressed mood and insomnia. There can be some cognitive problems, but they are much less frequent and intense than in norepinephrine-related depression."
"Let’s summarize the initial supplements for treating depression:
1) L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan or both - depending on what the lab data indicates. 2) P-5-P, 3) B complex, 4) multivitamin, 5) multi-mineral, 6) magnesium, which needs to be taken with calcium to keep the two in balance, 7) Vitamin C, and 8) sublingual B12."
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I think to a certain extent many of us can relate. Sounds like the brain fog that often accompanies thyroid conditions.
Please post whatever thyroid labs you have, and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report. That will help us assess the adequacy of your testing/treatment.
Are you still on the methimazole?
Please post whatever thyroid labs you have, and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report. That will help us assess the adequacy of your testing/treatment.
Are you still on the methimazole?
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