My Brain is in a Fog. Is it Low Thyroid?
QUESTION:
Dr. Heller,
I am a 39 year old female with BPD. I suffered greatly from it when I was younger, but I feel as I have gotten older I have mellowed somewhat. I am currently on Paxil, Wellbutrin, BuSpar, and Seroquel at night to help me sleep.
Although I do not have the rages that I once did, I feel that my mind is in a cloud, hard to concentrate, thoughts a jumble. I have taken a thyroid test years ago and it did not show I had a problem with my thyroid. I read that BPD’s can have thyroid problems, and the test show they are normal. How do I find out if I need it, or have my doctor prescribe the medication for me?
If you can answer this, I would greatly appreciate it.
ANSWER:
I go through this at length in both books, and the Newsletter I use for my patients is now on my Website at ../LowThyrd.htm.
Its highly likely Seroquel and possibly the Wellbutrin are causing the fog. I try to avoid the chronic use of antipsychotic medications if at all possible because of the side effects and the long term risks. Mood stabilizers such as Tegretol are sometimes necessary.
Id definitely get your B12 level checked. Levels below 450 can be low, and its extraordinarily common in those with the BPD. Again both books go into it at length, and in my Newsletter on B12 it states:
“While those suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency can feel well, symptoms can include fatigue, memory impairment, numbness and tingling, weakness, muscle stiffness especially in the legs), unsteadiness, staggering, confusion, appetite loss, painful or burning tongue, visual changes, intermittent constipation/diarrhea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, fevers, delirium, and eventually “senility” or “Alzheimers Disease.”
