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tedibear's avatar

What would cause a man in his mid-to-late 60's have issues with his sense of taste?

Asked by tedibear (19304points) June 23rd, 2013

This man is working with his doctor and has an appointment with a neurologist (I think that’s the type of doctor he said) to try to discover the cause. And, hopefully, how to fix it. He has had a brain scan that showed no tumors or obvious problems. His most recent blood work – including thyroid – came back normal.

This problem is rather odd. He had always enjoyed most foods, a few dislikes but no more than the average person. He can’t seem to put a pattern to what tastes good and what doesn’t. Below I’ve listed the things that I remember he has said:

Still good: most fruit, pork chops, spinach, bacon, ice cream, milk shakes, black coffee (although he says that seems a bit more bitter of late), blue cheese dressing

Not good: bread, crackers, pretzels, cheese

If I remember correctly, burgers, steak, chicken and chocolate are on the list of things he likes but no longer have taste appeal. They don’t taste bad, but they don’t taste good. I don’t remember where he is with spicy food. I know he likes it, but I don’t remember if it still tastes good to him.

When we first started talking about this, my first thought was that it was aging related. But to me, it seems like there could be more to it. This has been going on over the last six to eight months.

He is really tired of this and I’m hoping that there are some jellies with a bit of insight. Thank you!

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11 Answers

hearkat's avatar

I don’t know about potential causes beyond sinus or allergy, but an Ear, Nose & Throat consultation might also be considered.

marinelife's avatar

It’s not age-related.

tedibear's avatar

@hearkat – he has seen an ENT for allergies and mentioned this issue. This is what prompted the brain scan and the now scheduled consult with the neurologist.

@marinelife – I agree with you. While the sense of taste diminishes with age, this isn’t an issue with diminishment, but with some other change.

Sunny2's avatar

For what it’s worth (not much) I had a fried who lost his sense of taste after a head injury in a car crash. It did come back several years later.

hearkat's avatar

@tedibear – Good. You made no mention of an ENT, so I had the impression that “his doctor” was the general practitioner.

kyleaz's avatar

I have the same problem no smell and almost no taste. I think mine is because of allergies and sinus problems. I was in the hospital very sick and I think the lack of taste started with that trauma
Kyle.

geeky_mama's avatar

@hearkat – if he has allergies, do you know if he’s used Afrin or a nasal spray?
It’s a common issue that people (esp. those of us with allergies) will overuse or over-medicate with OTC nasal sprays like Afrin…and sometimes the result of overuse can be loss of taste/smell.
It sounds a bit like the onset was gradual and that some things just taste “different”—and that sure sounds like what happens with severe rhinitis medicamentosa.

hearkat's avatar

@geeky_mama: I think that question is meant for the OP, @tedibear.

Penycat's avatar

Also inhalers such as albuterol or atrovent for lung disease cause issues with taste.

rojo's avatar

@Sunny2 You had a fried what?

tedibear's avatar

@geeky_mama – I’m not sure when the allergy issue started or what he is using for them.

I’m now wondering if the onset of the allergies and the taste trouble started around the same time. I will ask him about that.

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