When you have an underactive thyroid gland (also known as hypothyroidism) your tongue can sometimes develop a characteristic look, medically described as macroglossia with scalloping. This terminology might sound puzzling, but here, we will demystify it for you.
Macroglossia refers to an abnormal enlargement of the tongue in comparison to the mouth and jaws. It commonly leads to a scalloped appearance on the lateral margins of the tongue caused by the enlarged tongue pushing against the teeth. Picture your tongue, but larger and with scalloped edges akin to a pie crust.
What does a Scalloped Tongue Indicate?
Macroglossia and tongue scalloping are not disorders themselves. They are nonspecific signs that may be associated with a variety of infiltrative (when something like proteins or other cells spreads into and fills tissues) or inflammatory (when your immune system causes your tissue red, swollen, and irritated) conditions (Khanal et al., 2015):
- Down syndrome
- Thyroid-related diseases such as untreated hypothyroidism
- Sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and neurofibromatosis which are infiltrative conditions with abnormal accumulation or spread of substances, cells, or tissues in different parts of the body, sometimes including the tongue.- A level of hydration lower than required could induce swelling in the body inclusive of the tongue.
- Stress and anxiety that lead to habits such as teeth clenching, grinding, and pressing your tongue against your teeth.
- Infections of the tongue, tongue injuries and lifestyle habits like smoking causing irritation and inflammation of the tongue.
- Poor dental health, jaw misalignment and Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea. This is a condition in which there is intermittent blockage of the airway while sleeping, causing fitful sleep and daytime sleepiness. If you have an underactive thyroid gland it can also cause sleep apnea.
How Would Your Healthcare Provider Evaluate a Scalloped Tongue
Diagnosing a scalloped tongue includes a visual examination, but the primary concern for healthcare providers is to uncover potential underlying conditions causing the tongue to swell. Depending upon the patient's medical history, lifestyle, and physical examination, further evaluation like a dental exam, different blood tests including thyroid function tests, and histopathology study (where a small piece of your tongue may be cut out and examined under a microscope) could be carried out.
The Path to Healing a Scalloped Tongue
The road to resolving a scalloped tongue lies in effectively treating the underlying cause be it sleep apnea, dehydration, thyroid disorders, orthodontic issues or whatever else. Depending on what fuels the condition, treatment might involve antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications, psychological support to help reduce stress habits like teeth clenching and smoking, and in extreme cases, oral surgery might be suggested.
A Little Closer to Decoding the Hypothyroidism – Scalloped Tongue Connection
A scalloped tongue can be a valuable signpost pointing towards thyroid health. This condition can be observed in untreated or inadequately treated hypothyroidism. A thorough thyroid evaluation may be essential if you exhibit a scalloped tongue but have not been diagnosed with thyroid disorders.
Decoding and Conquering the Scalloped Tongue with the Eureka Touch
Navigating the complexities of a scalloped tongue requires guidance from experienced professionals. At Eureka, we're here to help you every step of the way. We offer free recommendations to improve your thyroid health with our trusted and individualized approach. If you identify signs of a scalloped tongue, consider it an invitation to seek consultations to determine and treat the underlying causes.
Always remember that enhancing health and wellness often involves a little detective work. Luckily, here at Eureka, we’ve honed our own 'Sherlock Holmes' skills when it comes to thyroid health. We provide access to top thyroid doctors nationwide, and we're here to help resolve the mystery of the scalloped tongue and improve your thyroid health. Decrypting the language of thyroid health and the scalloped tongue is our way to ensure your journey towards health is well-charted and comprehensive. Here's to decoding and conquering thyroid health, one scalloped tongue at a time.
References
- Clue in the tongue. Khanal et al. (2015). This is a case report of a patient with a scalloped tongue along with a description of the condition as per medical literature. Read more.
- The Association of Tongue Scalloping With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Related Sleep Pathology by Todd M. Weiss et al. (2003). This study examines the presence of tongue scalloping as a potential indicator of sleep disorders, including those possibly related to thyroid abnormalities. Read more.
