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    Ear Nose Throat J. 1989 Oct;68(10):771-5.

    Glossodynia in patients with nutritional deficiencies.

    Huber MA, Hall EH.

    Various types of nutritional deficiencies can produce glossodynia and associated signs of inflammation. Changes such as swelling of the tongue, papillary atrophy, and surface ulceration are possible in most of the deficiency states. To further complicate the clinical picture, the patient commonly will suffer from multiple nutritional deficiencies [29]. Therefore, it is not advisable to diagnose a specific nutritional deficiency on clinical impression alone. To establish iron, folate, or vitamin-B12 deficiency, a hematologic screening that includes complete blood count, red-cell, serum iron, B12, and folate levels should be performed [30]. Although they are rarely required, specific tests for suspected niacin, pyridoxine, and riboflavin deficiency are available. Although glossodynia related to nutritional deficiency is statistically uncommon, it is easily curable with replacement therapy. Identification of a vitamin deficiency through early oral symptoms can forestall development of serious and irreversible systemic and neurologic damage.

    PMID: 2693058 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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    Patient drug information

    • Pyridoxine

      Pyridoxine, vitamin B6, is required by your body for utilization of energy in the foods you eat, production of red blood cells, and proper functioning of nerves. It is used to treat and prevent vitamin B6 deficiency resu...

    • Niacin (Advicor®, Niacor®, Niaspan®)

      Niacin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Niacin is also used to prevent and treat pellagra (niacin defic...