Lost sense of smell

[Janwhitton]

Hi I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism last July and started on Levothyroxine 50mgs . 3 months in I notice I have lost my sense of smell and have limited taste! At the same time I felt my thyroid levels were not correct so self referred for another blood test, which showed levels not right so Levothyroxine increased to 75mgs daily. Although my levels are now normal range I still have no sense of smell and am not sure if it’s due to Thyroid still not right or the medication. The doctor is adamant it’s nothing to do with my thyroid levels and has referred me to am ENT consultant. I feel this is a waste of time and welcome anyone’s experiences of similar smell/taste loss . Is it my Thyroid still under active or is it the medication.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Janwhitton

I don't know if it's connected to hypothyroidism but my friend, who is not hypo, has lost her sense of smell and taste. Had investigations, etc, looks like she won't get them back.

[greygoose]

Doubtful it's the 'medication'. But, possibly low zinc. Try taking some. Hypos are often low in nutrients due to low stomach acid.

Your thyroid levels now being in-range doesn't mean they are optimal. I do hope you will continue getting increases until you are well.

[Janwhitton in reply to greygoose]

Ok thanks will try Zinc

[fibrolinda]

Are you on any other meds. Just wondering as hubbie has same problem which we believe has been caused by Lisinopril. All other side effects slowly cleared up since stopping but still very poor sense of smell and taste. His curries and chilli keep getting hotter so he can taste something 🌶😥

[Janwhitton in reply to fibrolinda]

Yes I am on Losartan for high blood pressure. I now am becoming quite creative with herbs and garlic and chilli to add flavour and just eating foods I know have some taste . Coffee cake!! Was never a fan before but am now!!!

[Caroline888]

Hi Jan

I have the same thing! Was only diagnosed with Hashimoto's last August but only started on Levothyroxine in October. I lost my sense of smell/taste quite a few years ago following a bad bout of flu, which now I think was to blame. I have very slowly been recovering my sense of smell. I don't think I smell things quite as they are but I can smell something closely approximating the actual smell. I know this because I only use perfumes I used to like before my sense of smell was impaired. Taste and smell are closely associated with one another. Like fibrolinda's husband, I enjoy hotter curries, jalapeno peppers and chillis because it's good to be able to taste something.

I am convinced the bout of flu was to blame. I have read that sense of taste and smell may well return spontaneously over a period of time and this would seem to be true in my case. It's been a very, very slow improvement but an improvement nonetheless.

I believe the list of hypo symptoms does include loss of sense of taste/smell so it could, of course, be the cause in your case. If so, it may well be quite a while after you have achieved your optimal dose of levo before you experience an improvement. I would be very surprised though if levothyroxine was the culprit.

Like me, you are still at the early stages of treatment following diagnosis. I hope you are starting to feel better and that starting treatment is giving you hope for the future. We certainly have to be patient don't we?

Best wishes

Caroline

[Janwhitton in reply to Caroline888]

Thanks it would seem that all the USA websites and research documents state loss of smell and taste is a symptom of under active Thyroid but there seems to be very little on UK sites. My doctor won’t refer me to the endocrinologist based on this ! I’ve just asked for another blood test but the hoops I had to jump through to get that!! Another GP appt !!! We know how tricky they can be to get .

[Marz]

My sense of smell and taste are blunted it seems. Can smell for a fleeting moment and then it's gone - like Perfume spray - or even bad smells Texture of food is important to me and I believe I rely on memory for enjoying the flavours ! I once had 16 months or so of horrid meds for Gut TB - think it went AWOL at that time - some 45 years ago

[Janwhitton]

Yes I have fleeting sense of smell sometimes but then it’s gone. I try to add lots of textures and rely on memory as to what things tasted like. !

[thyr01d]

Me too, like you Marz and Jan, occasional fleeting and delightful sense of smell and I rely on memory for tastes. At least we can now eat those foods we don't like!

[Judithdalston]

12 years hypothyroid, and two years ago lost my sense of smell( and therefore most of taste) for 6 months - literally coming back the week before got to see an ENT consultant.... had tried zinc, Mometasone Furoate nasal spray, and Alpha Lipoic Acid. No idea if these helped but were recommended by a ENT registrar informally. Have had lots of health problems over the last 12 years , which I gradually find are the result of hypo, so it's a case of why not loss of smell too!

[Janwhitton]

Thanks now getting test for low zinc .