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Suggest Treatment For Dry Mouth While On Synthroid
Question: I have a really dry mouth and tongue and weird feeling in my throat. I have had this basically since April. Some history on me is that I have Graves Disease. My thyroid was killed off with radiation about 10 years ago. Last summer, I got some sort of virus, lost about 35 pounds but didn't change my synthroid dosage so the synthroid became at a toxic level. I have been leveled out on my Thyroid hormone now since February. The only thing that relieves this feeling in my throat is a sinus rinse. But, my tongue has this dry feeling all of the time.This is just follow up information. I just had an ultrasound of my thyroid last week and the results are normal. Also, last year I had an upper endoscopy and it was normal. My tongue is dry and feels sort of like it has been scalded but it hasn't.This is just follow up information. I just had an ultrasound of my thyroid last week and the results are normal. Also, last year I had an upper endoscopy and it was normal. My tongue is dry and feels sort of like it has been scalded but it hasn't.
Brief Answer:
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
So it looks like you are on no other medications aside from synthroid. Because there are certain pills that can lead to dry mouth and tongue.
Other reasons need to explored such as diabetes. There are two main types: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. People are generally not familiar with the latter.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
So it looks like you are on no other medications aside from synthroid. Because there are certain pills that can lead to dry mouth and tongue.
Other reasons need to explored such as diabetes. There are two main types: diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. People are generally not familiar with the latter.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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