What type of medical tests would be involved in checking my memory?
Asked by
tedd (
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December 12th, 2012
As I detailed in a previous post a few weeks back, I have been having issues with my memory for the last year or so. I forget important things and trivial things alike, seemingly at random. It has become a minor problem in my private and work life.
I am mildly concerned that it may be some kind of medical issue, like a tumor or some kind of condition or deficiency or what have you.
I am thinking of scheduling a check up as such. I kind of need one anyways, haven’t had one in 6+ years. What type of tests do you think a doctor would want to/need to run to ensure there wasn’t a larger medical issue behind my memory issues? (mostly I want to check my insurance and see how bad the copay would be, lol)
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12 Answers
First, they will probably do a mini-mental which is just a 30 minute or so list of questions and problems for you to solve. I had one and it was reassuringly normal and not difficult.
If they find indications of a problem at that point, there will either be more extensive verbal testing and/or a PET scan or MMR of your brain functioning and physical conditioning.
If you are concerned, you should go.
Several years ago, when my 90 plus mother was admitted to rehab for a fractured pelvis, the social worker did the same kind of mini-mental that janbb mentioned above. She started by naming three things and instructing my mother to remember them. At the end of the exam, she asked my mother to repeat the items. She got them all..I forgot one.
Round one of an evaluation is pretty benign. It can’t hurt.
You are talking about more than the usual age-related vagueness, I assume?
I think he forgot about this question.
@gailcalled @janbb I am 27, so this probably wouldn’t be age related. I am a very busy person, which is what I had attributed this too for some time, but my g/f and others close to me have noticed my forgetfulness seems to be pretty bad lately.
I’ll have to look into getting that basic test.
Maybe a blood test? My Mum had a really bad memory and would forget things within minutes. Turns out she has a thyroid disorder and the doctor told her that it was why she was having difficulty with her memory. She also suffered from other ailments associated with her memory. Are you experiencing any other symptoms that are out of the ordinary? I’m not claiming you have a thyroid disease by any means, but perhaps if there are other problems then it could give some vital clues.
@McCool I occasionally get headaches in specific parts of my head, almost as if I’ve bumped it. But they don’t seem isolated to one spot, or too incredibly frequent (were it not for the memory thing I probably wouldn’t even realize I got them unless I was in the midst of one).
Hmm, well I’m afraid I am of no help. Hopefully it’s something simple like a vitamin deficiency. Either way it’s always better to be safe and see a doctor. Take any test they can give you, make that medical staff work hard! :)
Sounds like you may benefit from neuro-psych testing. A psychologist would be able to perform any number of evaluations to address deficits.
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