Fed Up! Low Vitamin D..... Bitter Taste......

[mrspinkrat]

Last October I was started on Levothyroxine (50mg). I didn't feel unwell but am a bit overweight and always feel the cold.

A month after starting the medication, I developed a bitter/sour taste in my mouth.

It has been an awful few months. I have been so low. The taste can be constant and there's no escaping it. I've tried lots of things including mouthwash, changing my diet (I cut out all spicy foods, tea, coffee, tomatoes, all dairy.....), I've been on vitamins for a good 3 months. Although the taste is less intense than it was in the first few months, it is still there and still affecting my quality of life

I've switched brands of levothyroxine but still the taste persists....

I don't drink tap water, only bottled. I have visited my GP several times but am no further forward. The last visit revealed a slight Vit D deficiency but she said that many people would have that at this time of year because of lack of sun so she's going to retest in a couple of months. It'll be coming up to a year by then of this awfulness. Also, if I've been taking vitamins all this time, would I still be deficient??

I didn't have this until I started on the levothyroxine. It seems a strange coincidence! However, over Christmas I took myself off it for about a month to see if it was the cause but I did still have the taste.

I'm on Ranitidine in case it's reflux related but I have no other symptoms and I've also been on that for several weeks now with not much improvement (there are days when I think it's helping only to be back at square one a day later).

Can anyone help please. I'll try anything. I don't think I can remain sane much longer

[Hidden]

Hello,

I too had this dreadful taste in my mouth when I was taking Eltroxin. It was like petrol, acrid and very disturbing. I tried everything to get rid if it but nothing helped. Eventually I could cope no longer and stopped taking the Eltroxin. I have always suspected it was one of the fillers. Eventually I switched to NDT and it went.

I hope you find some respite soon.x

[mrspinkrat in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Joesmum.

Do you know how to find out what the fillers are? How did you get on to NDT? Do you have to go via the GP or can the pharmacist issue it? My pharmacist has been so helpful but not so much my GP who seems rather bemused by me!

[Hidden in reply to mrspinkrat]

I suspect that the filler causing the problems was acacia. But I wouldn't know for sure. I moved onto desiccated thyroid having discovered this site. I began reading about it and learnt as much as possible and then ordered some Naturethroid from one of the recommended online pharmacists found on this site. I then moved onto ERFA thyroid but after some difficulty I have moved back to Naturethroid. I recall not long ago replying to a lady who also had this hideous taste in her mouth so it's definitely not just you and I. I can still remember just how intolerable it was. It was a nightmare. Happily on NDT it disappeared and has never returned. If you do choose to move to NDT you will receive wonderful support from this forum. X

[Sandi2947 in reply to Hidden]

I would love to get rid of the taste. How do you find the ingredients in the Synthroid. Thanks Sandi

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Sandi2947]

synthroid.com/

Go to the Full Prescribing Information.

[debjs]

I have also read that low ferritin and low B12 can cause this. I could taste and smell things which weren't there when I was hypo too. My daughter was very unwell with low vit. D levels with many bizarre symptoms and is so very much better now her levels are decent. It might be worth finding out what your levels were and taking some extra.

[mrspinkrat in reply to debjs]

Thank you debs dj. I've been on a multi vitamin for about 4 months so was surprised to be low in VIT D. I want to take a stronger/higher dose but also don't want to mess with my levels incase it influences my next blood results....

Some days though, I'd try anything to be rid of the taste

[debjs in reply to mrspinkrat]

I think the vit D levels in multi vitamins are quite low. I have to take quite a high dose and my daughter was given mega doses to get her levels up but I can understand you wanting to get your next blood results first. Just don't be fobbed off with normal as I was with B12 levels which were only 5 points into normal and way too low for me.

[sued007]

i get this on mercury brand levo and am also low vitd and ferritin

[mrspinkrat]

Hi sued007

Are you taking any vitamin supplements at all?

Is the taste constant or does it vary? I can have a few good days, then -bam -, it's back as bad as ever! It's like a bitter/sour taste on my tongue - it's hard to get across to people how dreadful it is! Xxx

[Sandi2947]

A nurse told me it takes 3 months to get melds out of system. But not sure