Differential Diagnosis for Orange Tongue
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Vitamin deficiency (e.g., vitamin B12 deficiency): This is a common cause of orange tongue due to the alteration in the metabolism of pigments and the health of the mucous membranes.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Poor oral hygiene: Accumulation of bacteria and dead cells on the tongue can cause discoloration.
- Smoking: Tobacco use can lead to the deposition of pigments on the tongue, resulting in an orange color.
- Medication side effects (e.g., antibiotics, antihistamines): Certain medications can alter the color of the tongue.
- Dietary factors (e.g., excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich foods like carrots): Carotenoids can accumulate in the skin and mucous membranes, causing an orange discoloration.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Carcinoid syndrome: A rare condition characterized by the secretion of serotonin by a tumor, which can cause orange discoloration of the tongue due to the increased levels of carotenoids.
- Jaundice: Although less common, jaundice can cause an orange or yellow discoloration of the tongue due to the accumulation of bilirubin.
- Rare diagnoses
- Pellagra: A rare condition caused by niacin deficiency, which can lead to changes in the skin and mucous membranes, including an orange tongue.
- Lycopenemia: A rare condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of lycopene in the blood, which can cause an orange discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.
- Argyria: A rare condition caused by the accumulation of silver in the body, which can lead to a blue-gray discoloration, but in some cases, may also cause an orange or yellow discoloration of the tongue.