Does anyone know what a metallic taste in the mouth can mean?

Question

My mum (61 yrs) has been having a metallic taste in her mouth at various times of the day. Is it an indication of something i.e mineral deficiency? She has supraventricualr tacycardia (controlled by flecanide tablets), osteoarthritis, fibomyalgia and is overweight but generally well other than that. She also has to get up in the night to pass urine every 2-3 hous but, during the day can sometimes go all day without realising she hasn't needed a wee! She has an extreme thirst at night but not during the day, so I don't think it's diabetes which she has previously been tested for but the result was negative.

Answer 1

lots of medicines cause it, im diabetic and that does not cause it, extreme thirst is a bad sign of diabetes, she needs to take a long term test for her blood sugar, a glucose tollerance test. talk to her doctor about the metallic taste, it could be the meds shes taking now. or it can be something else, possibly thyroid problems.

Answer 2

efinition

Taste impairment ranges from distorted taste to a complete loss of taste.
Alternative Names

Loss of taste; Metallic taste; Dysgeusia
Considerations

The tongue can "taste" only sweet, salty, sour, and bitter sensations. Much of what is perceived as "taste" is actually smell.

Taste abnormalities can be caused by anything that interrupts the transfer of taste stimuli to the brain, or conditions that affect the way the brain interprets taste stimuli.
Common Causes

* common cold
* nasal infection, nasal polyps, sinusitis
* salivary gland infections
* influenza
* viral pharyngitis
* mouth dryness
* aging (the number of taste buds diminishes with age)
* heavy smoking (especially pipe smoking) which causes mouth dryness
* vitamin (vitamin B-12) or mineral (Zinc in diet) deficiency
* injury to the mouth, nose, or head
* gingivitis
* side effects of drugs such as antithyroid drugs, captopril, griseofulvin, lithium, penicillamine, procarbazine, rifampin, vinblastine, or vincristine
* Bell's palsy
* Sjogren's syndrome
* strep throat

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy, which may include a diet modification. For the common cold or flu, taste senses should return to normal after the illness has past. For smokers, stop smoking.
Call your health care provider if

* there are prolonged and unexplained taste abnormalities.
* abnormal taste is associated with other symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting the taste changes in detail may include:

* time pattern
o How long has this change been present?
* quality
o What kind of taste change has been noticed?
o Do all foods and drinks taste the same?
o Have any changes in sense of smell been noticed?
o Does this change in taste affect the ability to eat normally?
* aggravating factors
o Is smoking a practice? How much?
o Has there been a recent cold?
o What medications are being taken?
o Have there been any recent injuries?
o Are there allergies?
o Have teeth and gums been checked by a dentist recently?
o Have toothpaste or mouthwash recently been changed?
* relieving factors
o Is there anything that relieves this altered taste?
o Are there any foods or drinks that taste normal?
* other
o What other symptoms are also present?
o How is the appetite?
o Are there any problems with breathing?

A physical examination may be performed with emphasis on the taste and smelling senses and may include examination of nose, throat, and ears. Diagnostic tests including taste and smell testing may be performed based on the history and physical examination findings.

After seeing your health care provider:

If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to taste changes, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

Answer 3

Hi. There is a very clever website which lets you check a particular symptom with others (for example "metallic taste" and "urinating") and is very informative.

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/metallic_taste.htm

The taste itself could be the result of some of the medication your mum takes and it lists medications where metallic taste is a side effect.

It also lists conditions that may cause such a taste that you may not have considered (such as dental problems) etc.

Sorry I can't be of more help but its not really my field.

Answer 4

Many common natural remedies are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of diabetes. Learn here https://tr.im/2Wm3f

A number of clinical studies have been carried out in recent years that show potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood glucose control, which has led to an increase in people with diabetes using these more 'natural' ingredients to help manage their condition.

Answer 5

I think she needs to drink water at regular intervals, sounds like dehydration. People often mistake thirst for feelings of hunger. She should drink at least 5 glasses of water a day, thirsty or not.
I would discuss this new symptom with her doctor. Night thirst would indicate that she hasn't drunk all day and is getting dehydrated.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

is she on Valiums by any chance or any kind of sleeping tablets,that sometimes can cause a metal taste in your mouth.

Answer 8

whatever you do Nutrition is mandatory:
optimum protein,low fat, low sugar, low carbohydrate,low salt nutrition-
for losing weight- replace two meals with the above said nutrition
program and having one meal of your choice, plus water one liter for every 44lbs for desired results.anf
for maintaining weight- have once the above mentioned nutrition program and two meals of your choice,plus water -one liter for every 44lbs of body weight.
Male=1"=1kg=2.2lbs
women 1"=800gms=1.76lbs standard weight
now You can work out your possibilities
Fat% Men 16% and women 26%
Men 2000-2200 calories, women 1500-1800 calories(intake

Answer 9

does she have her own teeth?..and if she does and they are filled then sometimes amalgam fillings or corwons can give a metallic taste

Answer 10

dec reased salivary secretion due to systemic or local cause