What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with the disease — those with the late-onset type symptoms first appear in their mid-60s.
What does thyroid hormone have to do with Alzheimer’s?
The thyroid gland can be a capricious organ, spilling out too much or too little of its vital hormones. This excess or lack can lead to a panoply of debilitating mental conditions. Indeed, physicians will typically check thyroid hormone levels when patients come in complaining about memory loss or depression. It now appears that they may have another reason to check their female patients’ thyroid function. A new study suggests that women with low or high levels of thyroid–stimulating hormone (TSH) are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with normal activity.
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.
Regarding thyroid disorder and Alzheimer’s, researchers have identified an interesting hypothesis. Thyroid hormone appears to regulate gene expression of the amyloid precursor protein, which plays an important role in Alzheimer’s. A decrease in thyroid hormone or an excess of it can lead to a disruption in the regulation of the precursor protein gene and possibly the aberrant production of amyloid protein causing Alzheimer’s plaques.
؟Why women are more at risk of Alzheimer’s
Through studies done on a large number of people and measuring their THS levels and examining it, it has been observed that women are more vulnerable to thyroid-related diseases such as Graves’ disease, and no one knows why Graves’ disease. And other thyroid disorders are more common in women. For this reason, thyroid disorders are more common in women, which can lead to Alzheimer’s.
Who are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
Older people with hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a study. The risk of developing dementia was even higher for people whose thyroid condition required thyroid hormone replacement medication. Researchers found no link between hyperthyroidism and dementia.
“In some cases, thyroid disorders have been associated with dementia symptoms that can be reversible with treatment,” said Researchers. “While more studies are needed to confirm these findings, people should be aware of thyroid problems as a possible risk factor for dementia and therapies that could prevent or slow irreversible cognitive decline.”
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
Tips to improve memory
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. 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.
. 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.
. 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.
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.
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.
References
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214676#:~:text=The%20thyroid%20hormones%20have%20been,shown%20in%20a%20recent%20study.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/thyroid-function-linked-alzheimers-women
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220706165418.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7586400/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-living-with-hypothyroidism/ways-improve-memory/
