Why metal taste in mouth

These medicines include:. Medicines that can cause a dry mouth , such as antidepressants, can also be a culprit of metallic taste because they close your taste buds, which can in turn impact your sense of taste. Multivitamins with heavy metals such as chromium, copper and zinc or cold remedies such as zinc lozenges can cause a metallic taste.

So can prenatal vitamins and iron or calcium supplements. Usually, the taste will go away as your body processes the vitamins or medicine. Ford advises. Studies show that zinc and vitamin D may help combat it, though research is ongoing.

Blame it on hormones: Dysgeusia is especially common during pregnancy. For some expectant mothers, that means cravings for pickles and ice cream, while for others, it could mean an inexplicable metallic or sour taste. A metallic taste in your mouth can be a side effect of food allergies, especially to such as shellfish or tree nuts. If you have or suspect you have such an allergy, speak with your doctor about what to do in case of an allergic reaction — before it strikes.

Women may also experience headaches, dizziness, and morning sickness when pregnant. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, waste materials can build up in the blood. This accumulation can cause a person to experience fatigue and a metallic taste in the mouth. In addition to metallic taste and fatigue, common kidney disease symptoms may include body pain, swelling, and trouble breathing.

In some cases, a person may experience these symptoms due to kidney damage from poisoning. For example, lead , glaze, and solder poisoning result in kidney damage and can cause dysgeusia and fatigue. The taste buds send signals to the brain through the cranial nerves.

Additional symptoms, such as confusion, vision problems, a headache, and drooling, may also be present. This change is temporary, and a normal sense of taste should return eventually. Various expert tips are available to help people undergoing cancer treatment enjoy foods as normally as possible. Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatments that involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or biologic therapy.

A person experiencing a metallic taste and fatigue should talk to their doctor. Either a telemedicine visit or an in-person appointment will likely be necessary for the doctor to make a diagnosis.

Depending on the answers, they will either conduct a focused exam of the head and neck or perform a full physical exam. The doctor may also order blood tests or other imaging studies, such as a CT scan. In some cases, they might refer the individual to an otolaryngologist — a healthcare professional who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

The treatment for metallic taste and fatigue will depend on the underlying cause of these symptoms. With some causes, such as pregnancy and cancer treatment, the metallic taste and fatigue will resolve in time.

A person should always consult a doctor before making any changes to their prescription medications. Impaired taste can lead a person to eat more or less food or to consume too much sugar or salt in their diet. These dietary changes can cause or worsen other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Anyone experiencing a metallic taste alongside fatigue should see a doctor to determine both the underlying cause and the best course of treatment. A metallic taste and fatigue may be temporary side effects of medication or symptoms of pregnancy.

They could also be the result of a more serious medical disorder. You should definitely visit your dentist to find out if your metal fillings are the culprit. We want you to be aware that many things having nothing to do with your mouth have a link to a metallic taste. Parageusia can activate with a shift in your sense of smell, affecting your sense of taste. But it's rarely a chronic condition. The great news is the metallic taste is normally temporary and goes away once you treat the underlying cause.

According to the Cleveland Clinic , causes can range from minor problems to more serious conditions. We hope you're encouraged there's a way to treat or address most causes. Common causes and their treatments include:. Infections: Dental and medical infections that can cause a metallic taste in your mouth include:. Schedule a visit to your dental professionals to treat tooth and gum infections. They might refer you to a periodontist — aka a gum specialist — for more specialized treatment.

Your family doctor or an otolaryngologist — aka an ear, nose, and throat doctor — can diagnose and treat infections involving the ears, sinus, and throat. Medications: If you take certain drugs — whether prescription and over-the-counter — they permeate your body to do their necessary work. Side effects the medications can cause include:. Once you're off the medications, your taste buds should go back to normal. In the meantime, you can reduce the effects of dry mouth and unpleasant saliva by drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum.

Supplements: When you start taking certain supplements, your mouth can start taking on the taste of metal. The same can happen with multivitamins containing copper, zinc, and other metallic elements. But the sensation should fade after your body adjusts to the supplements' ingredients. Pregnancy: Your changing hormones can activate the sensation of the taste of metal in your mouth. Once your baby's born, the bitter taste should go away. And you'll have a new baby! Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: If you're battling cancer, a metallic taste is one side effect of the disease's treatment.

Nerve-Related Taste Disorders: Dementia is one condition of this disorder that can throw the taste buds out of whack. Unfortunately, this causation doesn't respond to treatment. A metallic taste in your mouth can range from disagreeable to repulsive.