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angieInCA

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angieInCA Apprentice

Recently I have been experiencing a slightly swollen tongue. Not all the time but every couple of days for a few hours. It seems to get puffy and ruffled along the edges. It does not hurt and is not sensative but does feel slightly numb near the tip on top. I can't seem to figure out what might be causing it. I've been gluten free for 6 weeks with just a few mishaps.

Any suggestions as to what might be causing this?


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ang1e0251 Contributor

Didn't I read on another thread about a poster who felt her tongue swelling traced to MSG? I would look to your foods again. It sounds like an allergic reaction.

ShayFL Enthusiast

If at some point the swelling seems constant, consider thyroid. Hypothyroid states will cause the tongue to swell. Just another thought.

RiceGuy Collaborator

I think I heard someplace that dehydration can cause the tongue to swell, but I'd hope by that time you'd feel really thirsty.

My guess is also on the allergic reaction.

angieInCA Apprentice

My first thought was dehydration too but I drink pleanty of water and I've been very aware of my intake since this has started. I've avoided MSG but I suppose I could have missed some somewhere.

I'm thinking allergic reaction also but I haven't started consuming anything new, more like I've eleminated alot from my diet.

Hadn't realized a Hypothyroid could cause tongue swelling.

GlutenGuy36 Contributor

Look into a possible Candida Albicans problem. It is yeast and it can go hand in hand with Celiac Disease. My tongue was doing the same thing and my GI doctor scoffed at the thought of Candida. Some times they are unwilling to diagnose it. You can cut out sugar and anything that is easily converts to sugar and see if that helps. I know its hard when your diet is already restricted. I know first hand.

  • 4 months later...
angieInCA Apprentice

I have asked 3 different doctors about my tongue swelling (it is doing it more frequently) and all of them have said to drink more water and to pay attention to a possible food allergy.

Today I saw my endocrinologist and asked her what could possibly cause it. She asked to see my tongue then immediately said "It's a B12 deficiency." I got a B12 shot in the office. She said a deficiency in B12 would cause swelling and ruffling of the edges, a very commin side effect. :huh:

My question is why does it seem Doctors know so little? Three either didn't care to think or really didn't know :blink: I don't ask them to be God's but I wish they would pay a bit more attention. :rolleyes:


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jerseyangel Proficient

Wow--at any rate, I'm glad you finally got an answer. Hope this does the trick :)

MomToACeliac Newbie

I hope you found the answer to your condition. Allergy sounded the most obvious and although individuals on a gluten-free diet do in fact eliminate many foods from their diet, do keep in mind you may be introducing new foods and ingredients into your body as well. You can never be sure. My son never ate quinoa pasta or corn pasta prior to being gluten-free. And hardly ate rice. So many natural and organic ingredients are found in gluten-free foods and unless you were an avid healthy and organic consumer to begin with, perhaps some of these foods or ingredients can be the cause for allergic reactions in some individuals. I have had Hypothyroidism for over 2 years now and I have never had swelling of the tongue. But we in fact are all different. Odds are you will know if you have a thyroid condition. Sore joints, muscles, fatigue, loss of hair, weight gain/loss, depression. There are other symptoms as well. Hopefully your doctor checked your labs for low vitamin levels, anemia, diabetes and hypothyroidims since these can be associated with Celiac Disease.

Best of luck to you!

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