Metallic taste? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

kit60 · 10-06-2008, 12:17 AM

I'm 11 months post-op. In the last month nothing has really tasted or smelled appealing, most of the time I notice my mouth has a metallic taste in it. I'm not complaining, I'm to the point that if I didn't get dizzy and get terrible headaches when I go too long between eating that I wouldn't even eat. It's just boring. All of that chewing. Anyway anyone else have that weird taste?

rachalrg · 10-06-2008, 12:52 AM

Kit,
That doesn't sound good....I got this off webmd...
How Medications Can Affect Your Oral Health

Many medications—including vitamins, minerals and herbal preparations—can have a negative effect on your oral health. Make sure that the dental office has your most recent medical history, including a list of all the medications (both over-the-counter and prescribed) that you use, as well as any chewable vitamins, herbs and similar products. Here are listed some common medication side effects.

You might need to get your levels checked...sometimes too much iron can do it too...be careful and keep us informed!

kit60 · 10-06-2008, 04:07 AM

hmm, had my teeth cleaned and x-rayed 2 weeks ago and no prob. It would be totally amazing if I had too much iron sice it runs on the low side of normal, and the doc. no longer has me take supplemental iron or B-12. I wonder if it is all of the vitamins? Or constipation? Thanks for the info.

Marella · 10-06-2008, 12:53 PM

A metallic taste, if not high iron, I've heard that it might mean ketosis -- which according to:

***
Wikepedia: Ketosis is a state in metabolism occurring when the liver excessively converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which can be used by the body for energy.
***

Ketosis is not necessarily a bad thing, according to What is Ketosis? Is Ketosis Dangerous? How to Detect Ketosis but it depends on who you listen to. Most NUTs and Docs disagree with ketosis for prolonged periods.

Although I can't find the metallic taste symptom with ketosis on information sites, I remember reading this on ObesityHelp.com I think, when I did research, BECAUSE

for me, the metallic taste ended up being iron as the culprit (though my labs were OK) When I was told to up my iron to every day, after two weeks, I could barely tolerate eating or even drinking anything because it tasted so bad. I was told to cut out my iron for a week, or two, let my tastebuds get back to normal, and then start iron supplements every third day -- which is where I am now.

It couldn't hurt to ask your doc,

kit60 · 10-06-2008, 02:33 PM

It's probably not iron, because I don't take supplimental iron. Ketosis sounds like it could be the culprit though. Maybe I should get some of those ketone strips. I see my doc soon. I'll ask. Thanks.