Swollen Tongue

[Dudley27]

I'm new to this forum but I am interested to know if anyone else suffers with swollen tongue. I suffer with an underactive thyroid and taking 75mg of thyroxine. Is it the medication or the condition making my tongue swell. Many thanks

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Dudley27.

How long have you been taking 75mcg Levothyroxine? Swollen tongue can be a sign of hypothyroidism but will usually resolve when you are taking Levothyroxine. B12 deficiency can also be a cause of swollen and scalloped tongue. Perhaps you could ask your GP to check B12 and folate.

[Dudley27 in reply to Clutter]

I've been on 75mg for about 3 years. I went to GP with it about 18months ago but she wasn't interested at the time as was taking Citalopram for anxiety which was only due to the condition but no one listens. I feel in control now I've been off the tablets for a year so I'm going to make an appointment to get it sorted.

[Butterfly_lady]

Hi, im new to forum too. I have only had swollen tongue once and that was after my first few days on levothyroxine. If yiure concerned phone gp and they will hopefully be able to help. Its difficult as these conditions have so many symptons.

I hope you feel better soon. If yiu want to read my full story take a look at my page.

Butterfky_lady

[irme]

Hi,I also have swollen tongue but randomly but when it happens,I am not on any thyroid medication.During the time I was on levo my tongue was fine,now that I'm off medication I got both again and it's very frustrating. Vit B12,Folate,ferritin and D are on the low end of the range so I guess there could be a connection.

All the best.

[Dudley27]

I'm going to make an appointment with GP. I've been about my swollen tongue before but this time I'm going to insist on investigations.

[spongecat]

Sounds like a plan Dudley27

See if you can get your old blood results. Once you are on Levo they should be checking your bloods every year or earlier if you are having trouble with symptoms. 75mcg is a very low "starter" dose, you may very well need an increase.

Insist on having a copy of any test result and then you can post them on here for people to comment and give you some ammo to discuss with your doctor. They don't make it easy when being so dismissive do they? Swollen scalloped tongue is a classic sign of hypothyroidism aka. myxodoema.

Don't forget to get an early as possible blood draw appt. (ideally pre 9am), be overnight fasted (water OK) and no levo on that morning, take it after the blood draw.

I had a swollen tongue for what I now realise was years, I thought the scalloping was normal and I just had a "fat tongue" and that was that

It did get to the point where I would quite literally get tongue-twisted and saying "thothages" instead of sausages!

As soon as I was diagnosed and on the right strength of medication....BINGO!.... my tongue has gone down to a normal size.

[Dudley27 in reply to spongecat]

My speech suffers from the swollen tongue and if I eat anything that's acid it is much worse so I'm careful what I eat now 😬

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Get a full thyroid test

TSH, FT4, FT3, Tt4

and BOTH thyroid antibodies

As well as vitamin D, b12, folate & ferritin

Always get copies of results including ranges

Most on Levo feel best with TSH around 1 (or lower) and Ft3 & Ft4 in upper third of range

Do you know if thyroid antibodies ever been tested? If they are high this means autoimmune thyroid called Hashimotos

If you have Hashimotos then may find gluten free diet helps

[Dudley27 in reply to SlowDragon]

Don't think my antibodies were done but I was in such a mess and so nervous of the doctor I just thought that he was right and I was stressed so went on antidepressants which thank goodness I'm off now 🙂

[jacrjacr]

LOW B12 , LOW IRON, LOW THYROID HORMONE CAUSE swollen tongue for me

[Glynisrose]

I ts the condition not the meds. I too suffrr from swollen tongue from time to time.