Keywords: cognitive health screening in Lagos, memory loss, forgetfulness, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, laboratory screening, Agape Laboratories Services
September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day, an important opportunity to talk about a subject many families would rather not think about until they have to: changes in memory and cognitive health.
Misplacing your keys, forgetting a name, missing an appointment, or asking the same question twice can happen to anyone. Stress, poor sleep, tiredness, and having too much on your mind can all affect memory.
Most of the time, occasional forgetfulness is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, persistent changes in memory, concentration, behaviour, or judgement may be an early sign of a condition that deserves further attention.
The challenge is knowing the difference.
Normal Forgetfulness or a Warning Sign?
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Normal forgetfulness is usually occasional, and the person may recognise the lapse themselves.
For example, forgetting where you placed your phone and remembering later is a common experience. By itself, it does not indicate cognitive decline. What deserves closer attention is a pattern of repeated or progressive changes.
Signs That May Warrant Further Evaluation:
- Frequently forgetting recently learned information
- Repeatedly asking the same question
- Difficulty following conversations that were previously easy to understand
- Getting lost or confused on familiar routes
- Increasing difficulty carrying out familiar tasks
- Noticeable changes in mood, judgement, or personality
- Family members noticing changes before the individual does
Note: These signs do not automatically mean that someone has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. However, when changes persist or become more noticeable over time, discussing them with a healthcare professional is important.
Why “Wait and See” May Not Be the Best Approach
It is understandable for families to hesitate when they notice changes in someone’s memory. Nobody wants to overreact to an occasional lapse.
However, some conditions that affect memory and concentration may have reversible or treatable causes. For example, thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and certain metabolic problems can contribute to symptoms such as poor concentration, fatigue, mood changes, and memory difficulties.
This is why laboratory investigations can be an important part of the initial assessment. Identifying possible underlying problems can help a healthcare professional determine what should happen next.
What Does a Cognitive Health Screening Involve?
Cognitive health screening is not necessarily one single test. Depending on the individual’s symptoms and medical history, a healthcare professional may recommend a combination of laboratory investigations and, where necessary, further specialised assessment.
Key Laboratory Tests Considered:
- Thyroid Function Test: An underactive or overactive thyroid can be associated with symptoms such as fatigue, mood changes, and difficulties with memory or concentration.
- Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels: Deficiencies can contribute to problems with memory, concentration, and general wellbeing. Identifying a deficiency helps guide appropriate management.
- Full Blood Count (FBC): Helps identify conditions such as anaemia or infection, which may contribute to tiredness, reduced energy, and difficulties with mental clarity.
- Fasting Blood Sugar or HbA1c: Provides information about glucose control. Poorly managed blood sugar can affect concentration and is relevant to long-term health.
- Kidney and Liver Function Tests: These organs process and eliminate substances from the body, including medications and metabolic waste. Problems affecting their function can contribute to changes in overall wellbeing and mental clarity.
Important: These tests do not, by themselves, diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or another specific form of dementia. Instead, they help identify possible medical or metabolic factors that may contribute to symptoms and provide useful information for further clinical evaluation.
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
If memory problems are becoming frequent, affecting daily activities, or being noticed by family members, it is worth having a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional.
- Early evaluation helps distinguish between ordinary forgetfulness and symptoms requiring further investigation.
- It helps identify potentially reversible causes instead of leaving families to spend years wondering.
- Most importantly, seeking an assessment means choosing to understand what is happening rather than assuming the worst.
A Conversation Worth Having Early
One of the most difficult parts of cognitive health concerns is the uncertainty. Families may notice changes but hesitate to talk about them, and the person experiencing the changes may feel embarrassed or worried.
A simple health check can provide a calmer starting point. Laboratory testing cannot answer every question, but appropriate investigations provide valuable information to help determine whether further clinical assessment is necessary.
This World Alzheimer’s Day, Start the Conversation
If you or someone you care about is experiencing persistent changes in memory or concentration, don’t simply dismiss them as “old age” or ordinary forgetfulness.
- Pay attention.
- Ask questions.
- Seek professional guidance.
At Agape Laboratories Services Ltd, Okota, Lagos, we provide laboratory investigations that can support the clinical assessment of conditions associated with changes in memory and cognitive health.
Take the first step toward understanding the cause of persistent forgetfulness.
Your health is our concern.