Knowledge Centre
Providing rapid medical guidance and expert health insights for informational purposes. Our guides come from a Harley Street clinic, but they do not replace a professional consultation.
Which memory problems can be treated, and how we check
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam · Reviewed by Prof Arshad Rather (GMC 6035767) on 14/11/2026
Dad has asked the same question three times since supper, and last week he missed a payment he has never missed. The worry goes straight to dementia.
Several causes of memory problems can be treated, among them low B12, an underactive thyroid, poor sleep, low mood, a medicine side effect and hearing loss, and putting the cause right can help. At Medical Express Clinic those checks start with a GP appointment at 117a Harley Street for £150, and if the picture points further, Prof Arshad Rather, Consultant Geriatrician, sees people at our memory clinic.
Here is the part worth remembering. The brain is a heavy user of what the rest of the body supplies: B12, thyroid hormone, sleep, calm, clear hearing. When one of them runs short, memory is often the first place people notice it.
The treatable causes, and how each is checked
| Cause | What people notice | How it is checked | Where at our clinic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low B12 or folate | Tiredness, tingling in the hands and feet, slow thinking, losing words | Blood tests for active B12 and folate | Blood tests at 117a Harley Street, then a GP appointment to go through the results |
| Underactive thyroid | Feeling cold, low energy, weight gain, forgetfulness | A thyroid blood test (FT4 and TSH) | The same blood visit, with the GP appointment to explain what it shows |
| Poor sleep | Fog in the afternoon, trouble concentrating, waking unrefreshed | A look at the whole night: snoring, pain, worry, hours in bed | A GP appointment, where adult consultations have no fixed time limit |
| Low mood or anxiety | Words not coming, losing interest, things not going in | Questions about mood, sleep and worry | A GP appointment, or a psychiatry consultation when mood is the main concern |
| Side effects of medicines | New forgetfulness after a new tablet, a change of dose, or several medicines together | A review of everything taken, including over-the-counter products | Prof Rather reviews every medication at the memory assessment |
| Hearing loss | Missing parts of conversations, answering the wrong question, withdrawing from company | Asking about hearing, then a hearing test | A GP appointment to check the ears and arrange a hearing test at the clinic. Treating hearing loss helps people follow and remember conversations |
| Infection or dehydration in older people | Confusion building over hours or days, drowsiness, drinking or passing less | Examination, urine and blood tests | Same-day assessment: call NHS 111, or 999 if the person is severely unwell |
| Alcohol, including low thiamine | Gaps in recent memory, unsteadiness, poor appetite | A frank conversation about drinking and diet, with blood tests where useful | A GP appointment (£150) |
| Sleep apnoea | Loud snoring, pauses in breathing noticed by a partner, daytime sleepiness | History from the person and whoever shares the bedroom, then further assessment if it fits | A GP appointment (£150) |
| A fall or head injury in the past few weeks | New confusion or forgetfulness since the knock | Examination and, where needed, a scan | Same-day assessment at A&E |
Sudden confusion, or any sign of a stroke, needs 999 straight away.
What the blood tests cost
Most of the table's first two rows rest on blood tests, and they are priced individually. Bought at 117a Harley Street, active B12 is £96.25, folate £68.13, thyroid (FT4 and TSH) £100, a full blood count £63.75 and calcium £39.38. Together that is £367.51, plus one £50 blood draw however many tests are taken, so £417.51 in all. The full blood count and calcium widen the picture to anaemia and mineral balance.
Few people need every one. A GP appointment can decide which are worth having first, and that £150 fee does not include the tests. The blood tests page lists the full menu, and the clinic is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 18:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00. Our sister site Blood London also lists active B12 on its own. For more on the thyroid row, read thyroid symptoms and the blood test.
When the checks come back clear, or the change keeps going
Sometimes the bloods are normal and the forgetfulness stays. That is when a specialist look helps. Prof Rather's memory assessment is from £2,499, in person at 117a Harley Street, arranged by enquiry. A relative can enquire on someone's behalf, which is how many families start. He reviews every medication, and any further tests are agreed with you before they are arranged.
Before deciding which further tests are needed, Prof Rather goes through the results you already hold. Families are welcome to bring GP letters and any recent blood results, which saves repeating tests and keeps the assessment on what is new.
If you are unsure whether it is time for that step, when to see a memory clinic sets out the signs.
Arrange a check
To start with the simple causes, book a GP appointment. For a consultant opinion, send an enquiry to the memory clinic or call 0207 499 1991.
“Memory problems have many causes, and some can be put right: an underactive thyroid, low B12, poor sleep, low mood, even a side effect from a tablet. It's worth checking for them.”
Mr Stephen Lingam
Managing Director
Executive leadership
Prof Arshad Rather
Consultant Geriatrician and General Physician
Consultant Geriatrician and General Physician • GMC 6035767
Frequently asked questions
Can memory loss be reversed?
It depends on the cause. When a low vitamin or an underactive thyroid is behind it, correcting that is the aim and some people notice a clear difference. Others improve only partly, so the honest answer comes after the checks, not before them.
Does stress cause memory problems?
Stress, worry and tiredness can all make the mind feel crowded, and they are worth mentioning at the appointment. A short note of when the lapses happen, and what else was going on that day, gives the doctor a head start.
Can a family member arrange the appointment?
Yes. A relative can enquire for the person, and the team will talk through who should attend and what to bring, such as medication lists and any recent results.
Need Professional Advice?
While our Knowledge Centre provides expert insights, it does not replace a face-to-face consultation with a doctor.
