Mucin - how to get rid of it?

[Rita-D]

Hi there,

Does anyone suffer from mucin? How do you get rid of it? My whole body have been swollen for years, but seems to be getting worse. I was using my laptop and noticed that there were indentations on my legs where the laptop had been. Over an hour later, they're still there! I'm on 100mcgs of T4 and last week increased T3 to 30mcgs from 20mcgs (was on that dose for 5 months and feeling much better after adding the T3 and dropping T4 to 100mcgs from 150mcgs, but I was still struggling with my weight. My last FT3 test result showed scope for an increase, which is why I increased last week. My energy levels are dropping too and I'm feeling drowsy in the afternoons again.

My last test results were:

FT4 15.8 (range 11 - 22)

FT3 5.6 (range 3.1 - 6.8)

We didn't do TSH as it's always low because I have a pituitary problem, so we don't use that to monitor.

I keep trying to go gluten free without much success, although I've never eaten much in the way of gluten and I unsuccesfully follow a low carb diet. (I've tried very many diets in the past). Do you think the increase in T3 has impacted my Mucin? I've always had it, but recently it seems worse. Any comments gratefully received. Thanks. Rita

[Rita-D]

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately I tried Thiroyd from a Thailand for 6 months in 2016. I couldn't raise high enough and it made me really ill. Not willing to risk that again as I'm feeling much better on T4/T3 combination although not yet optimal. Thanks for your suggestion though. Did your husband have mucin? How long did it take him to get rid of it?

[Rita-D]

Good to know that it did though. It's mainly my face, arms and legs. Just sick of it and everyone thinking I'm just really fat!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rita-D]

For me, finally seeing good progress on mucin

I am also heterozygous DIO2

Most important for me is mainly being absolutely strictly gluten free. No cheating ever.

This link explains why

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Plus addition of T3 and very important to have all vitamins optimal

Vitamin D at least around 100nmol

Daily B complex

Daily Magnesium

Daily vitamin C

2-3 per week of selenium and zinc

Turmeric mouth spray

Plus a small amount of exercise - 15mins walk or rowing machine as a minimum everyday

[Rita-D in reply to SlowDragon]

I am slowly seeing progress. I came off all meds for 10 days in August to "reset" then slowed titrated T4 and T3 and I'm now back on 100mcgs of T4 and 20 mcgs of T3 daily. It seemed to do the trick and by following a very strict low calorie diet I have managed to lose the 11 lbs that I put on when I increased T3 by 10mcgs. I know that this isn't really something that I should have done, but it did seem to work and actually my TSH went up to 9.7 form > 0.05. I had a TRH test because my TSH has been this low for over 5 years and they said I have a pituitary problem. The fact that it increased, proves that I don't!!

Thanks for the advice regarding vits. I was on D3 and K2, but stopped during the summer when my levels were OKish, probably need to start supplementing again now that the autumn is here. On my September blood test I was OK for magnesium 0.98 (range 0.70-1.00), and B12 went from 414 on 18th Sept to 711 (range 181-910) within 1 month with no supplementation? Very odd. I take daily Vit C of 1000mcgs in a disolvable tablet (it has zinc added).

Looks like Vit D3/K2 is what I need to supplement. Don't think I need B12, but perhaps I need a B complex instead. I am also taking Dr's Best Curcumin Phytosome with Meriva as recommended on FTPO (over 60s forum). I think this supplement is helping me to get rid of inflammation. I can actually pinch my skin again! It doesn't look stretched and shiney anymore and I can see that my face is less puffy too. Probably still need to supplement selenium.

I rarely eat gluten (probably once a week if that) but find that when I try to give up gluten, that's all I want! It's really weird!

Thanks for all your suggestions - they're really appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rita-D]

I find I need to supplement vitamin D all year, even though, (on Gastroenterologist advice) I do sit out in sun a lot, but it doesn't do much apart from give a good tan!

Typically I supplement 3000iu in summer and 4-5000iu per day in winter. That's just to keep vitamin D around 100nmol

I am confirmed by endoscopy as severely gluten intolerant, but had no symptoms other than couldn't walk! Obviously that's quite inconvenient, so I do stick to absolutely strictly gluten free. Now can do 3-4 miles! 10,000 steps minimum everyday.

Personally I have to take T3 in 3 doses per day. Approx every 8 hours. 10mcg waking, 5mcg 3pm and 5mcg 11pm. Levothyroxine at bedtime

T3 - Tried just 2 doses of 10mcg, really upset adrenals and very briefly tried once day - that was adrenal complete disaster

[Rita-D in reply to SlowDragon]

That's worth knowing. I take all my T3 at night as I found I was still tired when splitting. Might try to split it again and see how I go. I do find T3 at night helps me to sleep really well. Endo again suggested splitting it to me yesterday. I think I will supplement D again. To be fair an endo did suggest to me that everyone in the UK should be on Vit D as we don't get enough sunshine. It's just that I seem to be taking so many supplements that I rattle!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rita-D]

Yes I found taking T3 at bedtime gives great sleep.

[Rita-D in reply to SlowDragon]

It does, and also I feel more alert in the morning, not dragging myself out of bed at 11 like I used to once I first retired.