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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llrrrpp on May 29, 2006, at 12:06:20
Hi All,
this is a continuation of some earlier discussions on loss of smell. My mom experienced abrupt loss of smell some 6 months ago. I sent her some information from a thread that Larry Hoover and Phillipa were contributing to, and here is her follow-upMom writes
"I saw my ENT [that's an ear,nose,throat doctor] recently, who assured me that the CT scan of my brain did not reveal any tumors, and that the lump in my cheek of 2 years duration is probably at the parotid gland, a duct blockage or some such thing that is harmless.He said there is very little research done on loss or alteration of smell because there is very little money for such research. "It's not a 'sexy' topic. No one is dying of the condition. Loss of smell is not a headline news item."
Your information on the zinc deficiency sounds very interesting. I shall purchase some today and start taking it along with vitamin C as you suggest. Thank you for the research. Two other
items in your email leave me with questions:
1) What kind ofhereditary problem with zinc do you refer to? How was this discovered? Symptoms? Lab tests (before and after treatment with
zinc)? and2) The depression connection was not clear. Are you (or your friend) saying that a DEFICIENCY of zinc causes depression or that treatment of the loss of smell with INCREASED ZINC causes depression?
[the former, right Lar?]
I do, by the way, take a multivitamin tab daily along with calcium 500-1000 mg. daily, glucosamine/chondroitin, and Levoxyl. I've taken the latter most years since I was 18 to treat hypothyroidism, which is the most likely (biochemical) cause of my depression. Thyroid problems run in the family, by the way. Grandpa had to have nodules on his thyroid surgically
removed.(My own MDD, unfortunately not likely due to thyroid problems, as I've always passed my tests with flying colors and have never noticed any symptoms)
Thanks, and my mom thanks you too
-ll
Posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2006, at 16:21:40
In reply to Loss of Smell Zinc, and Hypothyroid, posted by llrrrpp on May 29, 2006, at 12:06:20
Same thing happened to me I went hypothroid and that's when my depression began with increased anxiety even on synthroid at the level that corrospond to the blook work . New TSH is 1-3. And two years ago I lost my taste of smell and taste but they said at the taste and smell centers that aminophilline is the only thing to maybe rejuvenate the neurons in the nose that control smell. I didn't realize I couldn't smell I just knew I couldn't taste anymore. Can you Mom taste. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on May 30, 2006, at 17:14:48
In reply to Re: Loss of Smell Zinc, and Hypothyroid » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2006, at 16:21:40
Hi Phillippa
My mom can only taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy. Chocolate tastes like sweetened wax to her. apple and pear taste alike, etc. her sense of smell is pretty much gone, and so she can no longer experience the aromas of food, only the food's texture and the limited info that taste buds transduce. I will keep you up to date on how her zinc treatment goes. She has been hypothyroid for her entire adult life (35 years, at least) She has a good endocrinologist, so it's pretty well controlled.-ll
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 6, 2006, at 12:49:58
In reply to Loss of Smell Zinc, and Hypothyroid, posted by llrrrpp on May 29, 2006, at 12:06:20
> Your information on the zinc deficiency sounds very interesting. I shall purchase some today and start taking it along with vitamin C as you suggest. Thank you for the research. Two other
>
> items in your email leave me with questions:
> 1) What kind ofhereditary problem with zinc do you refer to? How was this discovered? Symptoms? Lab tests (before and after treatment with
> zinc)? andI used to have little white patches on my nails. I used to have all kinds of prostate problems. I used to have loss of smell, and loss of taste. I inferred high zinc turnover, as intake did not restore me to stable zinc function. I have to keep taking a fairly high dose. If my smell starts to go, or my prostate acts up, it reminds me I'm falling behind *again*.
There is a pyrrhole that may bind zinc with high affinity, and pull it into urine. There is a known mechanism. I have never been tested.
> 2) The depression connection was not clear. Are you (or your friend) saying that a DEFICIENCY of zinc causes depression or that treatment of the loss of smell with INCREASED ZINC causes depression?
Zinc is a key electron transfer center in the enzyme for one of the neurotransmitter syntheses....dopamine, I think. Maybe all the "big three" neurotranmsitters. Zinc deficiency can cause depression, and/or loss of taste and smell. I.e. zinc supplementation may simultaneously restore taste and smell, and boost mood.
> [the former, right Lar?]
>
> I do, by the way, take a multivitamin tab daily along with calcium 500-1000 mg. daily, glucosamine/chondroitin, and Levoxyl. I've taken the latter most years since I was 18 to treat hypothyroidism, which is the most likely (biochemical) cause of my depression. Thyroid problems run in the family, by the way. Grandpa had to have nodules on his thyroid surgically
> removed.You may then also require T3. There is a thyroid thread on the main board, where I make the argument. I'll see if I can't find it. That board flips really fast.
> (My own MDD, unfortunately not likely due to thyroid problems, as I've always passed my tests with flying colors and have never noticed any symptoms)Asymptomatic is good.
> Thanks, and my mom thanks you too
> -llWelcome,
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2006, at 20:47:48
In reply to Re: Loss of Smell Zinc, and Hypothyroid » llrrrpp, posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2006, at 16:21:40
Lar how much zinc and type? Please? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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