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What Causes Bleeding In Mouth?

Posted on Fri, 4 Apr 2014

Question: Hi, I am a 53 yr old female. I am 5 ft 6 inches, 124 lbs, non smoker. I have a history of SVT and MVP and PVC's and PAC's. I have been on tenormin since age 23. I have a yearly echo. I have been tasting blood in my mouth and when I spit it will be blood. I have been having this problem on and off for quite some time. I have been to my dentist and they can't find anything and also mentioned it to my dr. and they also don't seem alarmed. I know there has to be some reason for this and wonder if I should be alarmed and what kind of tests should be done. Is this a sign of leukemia or anything else being they can't find anything wrong with my teeth/gums?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: To rule out possibility of Vitamin C deficiency Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to Healthcare-Magic Greetings of the day Dear Ms Nutritional deficiency of Vitamin C can have such manifestation. Sometimes it can be associated with gingivitis, and sometimes there may be no finding. It present with spontaneous gum bleeding. There is no cause for concern as the dentist could not find any pathology. Coming to your anxiety of the cause could be leukemia, getting complete blood counts along with Peripheral blood smear examination will rest your anxiety. Also do get Serum Vitamin C levels done. Dietary supplement with Vitamin C will be helpful. Wishing you a very happy and healthy life. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha Deepak MBBS, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Shobha Deepak (51 minutes later)

What is a peripheral blood smear and what does it check for? Are you saying this might be a symptom of leukemia and I do need to have blood work done? Just a normal CBC blood work or something different?

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (32 hours later)

Brief Answer: Blood examination under microscopy Detailed Answer: Hi Greetings Peripheral smear is done to know the distribution of various components of blood including adequacy of platelet. A drop of blood is taken on slide and fixed and examined for red blood cell morphology and also platelet count. It's one of the basic investigation to be done in case of unexplained bleeding. Take care Best Regards Dr T Shobha

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar