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Can Hashimoto’s disease cause dry mouth?
Hi, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos about 8 years ago and went on levothyroxine for about 6 months. My tsh has been a little over 5 when I went on the medication. My doctor increased it slightly it and then I had an irregular heart beat and didn't feel any better from the med so I went off of it and had blood work done regularly. I had all my thyroid levels checked and all has been in the normal range until my annual blood work last August. Tsh was elevated to 6.5. I wanted to wait 6 weeks to have all levels checked. When the labs came back everything was normal again. T4, t3, antibodies, tsh.....vitamin D, etc.....all normal. That was in September. I go back to see my doctor next week for a follow up. So that's the background. Here's my question; When it got extremely cold outside in January I continued walking and hiking and noticed my lips got very dry and chapped. I assumed it was from the cold weather. I kept something on them around the clock. They are still dry but not chapped. Then the inside of my mouth felt drier than normal. I have saliva but still feels kinda dry...also my throat. Can Hashimotos cause this? I have read that it can cause these symptoms. I will be talking to my doctor about it. Just wondering if others have had this symptom. Also, I've had dry eyes for a few years but blamed that on menopause but guess it could be from Hashimotos also.
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Hello @cyclist22 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is always nice to find someone else who can relate to what you are going through, isn't it? I am glad you are reaching out on Connect.
Here are some articles and excerpts that you might find helpful.
"Some types of thyroid disease that are associated with dry mouth include: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HF): HF is an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism due to decreased function of the thyroid gland. 2."
- How Thyroid Disease Causes Dry Mouth - Verywell Health:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/thyroid-disease-dry-mouth-3231729
"One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto´s Thyroiditis (HT). Early detection of dry mouth is critical in preserving and..."
- Evaluation of Xerostomia and salivary flow rate in ... NCBI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4765761/
Member @fighter shares the diagnosis of Hashimotos and also the dry mouth symptom and may be able to tell you more.
What, if anything, are you trying at the moment?
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2 ReactionsHello @amandajro, thank you very much for your response. I appreciate all the info! The only thing I'm doing is drinking lots of water to stay hydrated and using moisturizing lip balms. That helps.
One has to pay attention to dry mouth as it does a number on teeth and gums. AND, you can get a salivary gland infection which can be miserable. I brush teeth twice daily, use a waterpik to care for gums. My dentist recommended ACT or Oral B dry mouth wash--xylital prevents bacterial growth. I massage my lower cheeks/jaw when they feel tight and lemon drops can also help. The antibiotic for the paradid infection is penicillan or clindomyacin, if you can't do penicillan.
@marye2, thank you! All helpful tips! I have always taken good care of my teeth. I brush twice a day and floss every night. I use a waterpik twice a week but maybe I should start using it every night. I'll get the mouthwash and do the massage because I do have tightness in the jaw area. My mouth hasn't felt as dry lately but when I drink coffee I notice it more. I've been wondering if I've had a hashimoto flare that caused the dry mouth issue. Do you know if it can come and go? Or is it something that once it begins it doesn't get better?
Thanks again.
There are good TMJ stretches and a mouth guard is important, too. I think the best one I had made was from a maxillofacial dentist. Coffee and Tea are supposedly diuretics, but not that bad. I use biotene, or xylitol gum. I find that the days I drink more water are less drying, though. I blame mine on sjogrens but it could be something else in the MCTD overlaps. For TMJ, I like Dr Jo. Coolpak is better than ice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrz25x3qnTY
@marye2 Very useful info! Thank you!