<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Sharon, This is not medical advice; I'm just a layperson. It is my understanding thirst is an indicater of diabetes, but there are other indicators too -- frequent urination, and some others I believe. You might want to look into Sjogren's Syndrome. My Dorland's Medical dictionary gives the following definition: Sjogren's Syndrome: a symptom complex of unknown etiology, usually occurring in middle-aged or older women, marked by keratoconjunctivitis sicca, xerostomia, and enlargement of the parotid glands; it is often associated with rheumatoid arthritis and sometimes with systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or polymyositis. An abnormal immune response has been implicated. Called also Gougerot-Nuloch-Houwer syndrome, sicca syndrome and Sjogren's disease. Lisa in Iowa