Cognitive decline in mid-life: Changes in memory and cognition related to hypothyroidism

Abstract

This study assessed specific cognitive impairments within a primarily female, hypothyroid population, while controlling for factors that commonly contribute to cognitive decline. Participants ( N = 739) included 461 individuals with hypothyroidism. This study involved an online survey assessing several aspects of memory and cognition. Those with hypothyroidism generally scored worse on self-assessments of memory, higher perceived stress, high rates of depression and anxiety, greater fatigue, poorer concentration, and less motivation. A Receiver Operating Characteristic curve indicated that the cognitive questionnaires are successful at classifying hypothyroidism and a mediation analysis showed fatigue is a mediating symptom of these cognitive outcomes.