Page 125 - The Memory Program How to Prevent Memory Loss and Enhance Memory Power

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lead to early diagnosis and treatment. However, mild memory loss can result from mild to moderate
forms of thyroid deficiency.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Mental

Depression
Memory loss

Physical

Weight gain
Feeling tired, fatigued
Puffy face and eyes
Slowing of movements
Drying and loss of hair
Brittle nails
Swollen neck (goiter)
Intolerance for cold
Constipation
Slowing of heartbeat

From this list, if you have either depression or memory loss plus two or more physical symptoms,
ask your doctor to check your thyroid hormone levels.

High Thyroid Levels

The flip side of hypothyroidism is the syndrome called thyrotoxicosis, which is due to excess
circulating levels of thyroid hormone caused by autoimmune or malignant disease or by excessive
hormone supplementation in people with thyroid deficiency. The clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis are
hyperactivity, anxiety, and emotional instability. Memory loss can accompany poor attention and
concentration resulting from the hyperactive state. Physical signs include heart palpitations, muscle
weakness, and sleeplessness. For those receiving too much thyroid medication, the treatment is
straight-forward: lower the dose. For people with thyrotoxicosis due to autoimmune or other causes,
there are effective antithyroid medications; surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland is
occasionally needed.