Teeth

[sboykin]

I know it's bad about google everything, but I am now stressed about the fact that you can loose your teeth with PBC. Is this accurate?

[Hidden]

Hello sboykin.

Just seen your post come in.

I am now 51, was 46 when I was diagnosed with PBC but 45 when I started itching back in 2010.

I visit the dentist as requested here in the UK at intervals for checks and last month had reason to go due to a filling that had fallen out.

I had been advised to go at annual intervals for checks in the last few yrs as my teeth were said to be quite OK.

The dentist repaired the filling and tho' I don't agree to x-rays he did one to check if he could fill it (check nerve intact). That went OK. He then said that now I am this age and completing the menopause and have had PBC several years, he recommends me going in at 6 months now. He said being female and having PBC I have 'the double whammy' as osteoporosis can be common in post-menopausal women but also it can be common in PBC so we get the risk twice over.

This is probably the reason that it is suggested from what you state you have read (I don't tend to look into certain things online unless I know a reputed site), down to the fact that we can have less absorption power of the fat soluble vitamins in having PBC. I utilise the sun for Vitamin D as this contributes to better bone health. I know a lot suffer from fatigue in PBC but keeping as active as possible in my view really does help.

[sboykin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response. I have a dental appointment coming up next week. I do want to ask you another question. I am currently taking Ferrous Sulfate because a few months ago I was told I was anemic. Can taking this medication harm the liver. I don't want to google because I am now scared to what I might find.

[Hidden in reply to sboykin]

Hello sboykin.

I can't actually answer your question of ferrous sulphate tablets but I have taken them with PBC 18mths ago when it was found my HB level kept being one under normal. The ferritin levels for me were checked alongside vit B and also folic acid (or folate) and another one and it was the ferritin level that was a bit under.

I was asked to take a higher dose of iron tablets for a months but decided to take slightly less over a couple mths and I had no problem at a recheck, everything has been fine since. My iron levels were caused due to a minor nose graze which I saw ENT dept at hospital about as I had occasional nosebleeds for several yrs.

I know iron is stored by the liver and in PBC it might just be that we are unable to do as adequately but the best thing would be to ask your doctor about this. I do know that there are others on this site who take iron medication frequently so hopefully someone else can fill you in on that.

Also thinking about it, you will have repeat checks for your ferritin (iron) levels as that is the norm so I expect your doctor will know if and when you have an adequate store again.

[Brummi in reply to sboykin]

Hi, I was prescribed Ferrous Sulphate as a iron tablet I take one a day. I'm sure I would not have been prescribed them if they were bad for me. Please remember we may have different problems. Chat with your consultant...

[annscot]

First I have heard of loosing teeth through having PBC........I am 70 and still have my own teeth.....I visit my dentist every year for check up...

[dollydaydreams]

I have 6 month check ups and have one tooth that needs a root canal but in no way do i connect it to PBC, its a filling I had 10 years ago thats gone wonky. my dentist is very nice and knew about PBC before i told him I had it and I am 100% sure he would tell me if it was going to affect my teeth. So I would not worry too much.

I don't think there is anything wrong with googling as long as you take some of it with a pinch of salt, and if you are worried about anything ask on here, as either one of us should know ( as we are going through it or have been there ) or one of the foundation staff will soon sort worries out for you.

[sboykin in reply to dollydaydreams]

Thank you so much.

[PCBnPBC]

TEETH :

I "failed to notice" that I had PBC - they say it takes up to 30 years to run its course..I found out 18 months before I was so ill I was emergency transplant (is there any other sort?) 6 months ago.

As for teeth, once I had PBC diagnosed, I was well into the condition, my calcium was exceedingly depleted, special calcium infusions and calcium supplements were provided. in the previous few years I was loosing my teeth (wobbly etc.) before transplant they requested I have a clearance (teeth harbouring germs, not good for transplant immune issues) but they were on their way out...... so my experience was probably due to not noticing PBC till the end of condition, my suggestion, get your calcium checked out!

[Hidden in reply to PCBnPBC]

Hello PCBnPBC.

I thought that everyone with diagnosed PBC had the bloods done complete with the bone profile. I know when I have mine done, currently at 6 monthly intervals, there is the Liver, Kidney and Bone in 3 seperate readings of 3 each. I know currently my Vit D levels are perfectly adequate and there is of no concern where the Bone and Kidney profiles are concerned, I just have the few abnormal ones on the Liver Profile as well as a couple that are apparently expected in PBC on the Full Blood Count (FBC).

For the last 18mths now my HB count has been within normal range, it used to be a point under so after some time and 3 readings at just under, I had other bloods done for Vit B, folate and ferritin and was found to be a bit low in iron so had a short course of iron tablets and ever since been quite normal.

[PCBnPBC in reply to Hidden]

My Dr. (not consultant) diagnosed PBC when I made my first visit to Dr in many years looking for an "MOT" as I was feeling a tad under strength (!) - I now realise very late stage PBC , my consultant <to be> refused to see me, asking Dr. to check my alcohol consumption ! We went to private consultant in Manchester, who confirmed PBC, confirmed varicees, and confirmed near total chirrosis of liver. Living in Wales I could not continue under this English consultant, so had to wait near 12 months to see my welsh consultant who said Hello \ Goodbye you need to go to transplant centre I chose Newcastle (just the one appointment of about 10 minutes) ---at Newcastle they did loads of tests and calcium was found well deficient, only under Newcastle for just over 12 months, then transplanted. found out about Calcium in last 12 months pre transplant, which explained why my teeth were dropping (dentist suggested my oral hygene was at fault! ) So the answer was my alcohol consumption which was moderate, I could brush my teeth, but my Bile ducts were the problem! now I am 7 months post TX and feeling great ( a little fatigued on occasion) THAT WAS NOT A WHINGE !!! Its been quite a ride, Hepatic Encephalopathy was excessivley predominant for me, - which leads to some crazy stories, helped to keep a sense of humour to the whole journey, I bless my saintly wife Angie, who stood by me, supported me, suffered me, and kept smiling - we went through it together, she is my best buddy !

[Sachin1234]

Just make sure u get enough vit d and calcium ..

[Beanie]

As the liver processes calcium, when it's not working properly it can mean you are not absorbing enough, which can affect not only your teeth, but your bone density, which means people with PBC are more prone to osteoporosis. Vitamin D and calcium are best taken together to maximise absorption, so a daily supplement can help. Living in the UK, means most of us don't get enough sunlight to get sufficient Vitamin D anyway! I started taking supplements a couple of years ago, and have noticed a massive improvement in aching muscles and teeth!

[Tiredmum1]

I'm 36 and have severe bone loss in my jaw and as a consequence I'm losing my teeth that are otherwise very healthy. I have a plate with 4 teeth on but I hate it so much I can't eat with it and it's so embarrassing but it's my only option as I can't afford dental implants. I was diagnosed with pbc in 2013 and since then I've had to have 5 teeth removed. I've never heard of the two being connected though. I also have fibromyalgia and joint hyper mobility syndrome (possibly elhers danios syndrome) but don't even know if they are connected to my loss of bone. No one has ever mentioned it to me. I'd love to know why it's happening all of a sudden and maybe if I knew the cause I could find a way of stopping it progressing 😁