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What Causes Tongue Changes When Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014
Question: I have both sleep apnea, (I sleep with a CPAP machine ) and hypothyroidism. How can I tell which condition is causing my tongue to be rippled ?
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Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Thyroid Detailed Answer: Tongue changes in hypothyroidism are significant for enlargement only in severely untreated or undiagnosed cases where the TSH is grotesquely elevated in the 20's, 30's or 100 or even more. With milder degrees it typically does not occur. Sleep apnea also is not known to cause such a change in the tongue texture. Perhaps the CPAP may not be fitting too well. I would recommend you check with the prescribing physician if it has any effect on your tongue. I also see you have mild diabetes. Even that is not associated with tongue problems as such. Sometimes gastritis and acid reflux has an impact on the oral hygiene and affects teeth and gums. It is possible the tongue is bearing the brunt of acid reflux but I would advise an evaluation by a Gastroenterologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Causes Tongue Changes When Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

Brief Answer: Thyroid Detailed Answer: Tongue changes in hypothyroidism are significant for enlargement only in severely untreated or undiagnosed cases where the TSH is grotesquely elevated in the 20's, 30's or 100 or even more. With milder degrees it typically does not occur. Sleep apnea also is not known to cause such a change in the tongue texture. Perhaps the CPAP may not be fitting too well. I would recommend you check with the prescribing physician if it has any effect on your tongue. I also see you have mild diabetes. Even that is not associated with tongue problems as such. Sometimes gastritis and acid reflux has an impact on the oral hygiene and affects teeth and gums. It is possible the tongue is bearing the brunt of acid reflux but I would advise an evaluation by a Gastroenterologist