Ledge below lip cont/...

[Caroline888]

There were lots of replies to my previous posts. Don’t know if these are in any way relevant to your situation. This is a photo of my ledge now. I don’t think it’s changed at all.

All the best

Caroline

[Clarrisa]

Being a visual person this has really captured my attention. Do you use lipstick, wear dentures, had dental issues, sleep with your mouth open, changed up your diet, etc. I wonder. It looks like something a doctor may have to trouble shoot in person. Hope it resolves soon.

[Caroline888 in reply to Clarrisa]

Hi Clarissa,

Yes I do use lipstick but don’t wear dentures or have dental issues. I’ve not made any important changes and as regards diet I’ve been a vegetarian for nearly fifty years so no recent changes made there either. This “ledge” made an appearance just over two years ago and led indirectly to my diagnosis of hypothyroidism. It’s not changed in any way in the two years since then. I don’t know why it should have occurred at that time as I feel sure I had had underactive thyroid for many years prior to my diagnosis.

I have always hoped that treatment with levo, when optimum, would make it go away but so far no luck.

Doctors have no idea what it is and have not linked it to my being hypothyroid though I have seen similar ledges associated with hypothyroidism in photos online.

If you have any ideas I would love to hear them!

Best wishes

Caroline

[Clarrisa in reply to Caroline888]

My physiology instructor told us to start by reviewing any medications first: Some medications say you must stay out of the sun. If you have lipstick on it may even be reflecting the sun towards that area. If you haven’t posted your thyroid labs, vitamins & ferritin labs recently you can likely clear the air on how thyroid medication related this may be by doing so.

My dated thyroid book says: “Nearly half of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have subtle features of Sjögren’s syndrome ...” (3rd Ed. The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem, M.D. 2017). So if you are Hashi like me you too can get more than you bargained for ... Well it may keep our brains functioning trying to figure things out. Take care.

[Caroline888 in reply to Clarrisa]

I do have very high TPO antibodies (>1300) though I have gone gluten-free in an attempt to reduce them. My latest blood tests showed that my dose of levothyroxine is pretty good, my TSH being less that one, my T4 being at the very top of the range and my T3 being half way through the range. Obviously T3 could be a bit higher but, still, I've been feeling better on my current dose of 75 mcg.

It's a mystery what has caused this swelling below my lip but it is so unchanging that I cannot believe it is any kind of allergy - my use of lipstick for example is inconsistent and the ledge remains regardless. Originally the GP prescribed antihistamines which clearly had no effect, then hydrocortisone which had no effect whatsoever either. I think it's probably here to stay! Still there are worse things and I've sort of got used to it😊

I don't think I have Sjögren’s syndrome - no dry eyes or mouth. It truly is a mystery! Thank you for your interest. Hope you are managing to keep well. Take care.

Best wishes

Caroline

[Clarrisa in reply to Caroline888]

Your welcome. I think Dr. Arem was emphasizing “the fact that autoimmune thyroid disease & Sjögren’s syndrome have a close genetic link.” - so we share features not the actual disease per say.

I’d double check & make sure your personal care shampoos & face care products do not contain phthalates that are said to be bad news with thyroid conditions.

I’d put my money on your elevated TPO antibodies being underneath your skin concern. I am finding the need to double down & modify my meals considerably further & have been trying to use The Autoimmune Fix by Tom O’Bryan, DC, CCN, DACBN as well this forum as inspiration. I will be getting some more blood tests for vitamins, ferritin etc. recommended here to guide me.

Hope you stay well too. Keep us posted.

[Caroline888 in reply to Clarrisa]

Thanks Clarissa. I too feel sure it is related to my thyroid problem. Although it doesn’t appear to be a common symptom, I have seen photos of similar swellings with reference being made linking it to hypothyroidism. Mucin comes into it I think.

If I ever find the answer or if it changes in any way I will certainly post an update.

Best wishes😊

Caroline

[Biker1666 in reply to Clarrisa]

I also have this identical bump and have had long standing Hashimotos controlled with synthroid. The little separation in the lip between the bumps is also there. This has been the only forum or info I could find. I did not find info under Hashimotos. I feel less alone but am frustrated with having this. I started noticing this about two years ago and have had Hashimotos for 20 years.A dermatologist injected it saying it was scar tissue. No change.

[Caroline888 in reply to Biker1666]

Hi Biker1666

I have had this “ledge” now for about five years. The only consolation is that it hasn’t got any worse and I’ve sort of got used to it!

I think I had been hypothyroid for a very long time before I was diagnosed in 2017. I believe in my case it was triggered by the menopause over 20 years ago but of course the symptoms of menopause and hypothyroidism are similar so my thyroid issue went undiagnosed for many years. I often wonder if the ledge is the result of delayed treatment.

I think the most frustrating thing is that GPs have no idea that the ledge is probably thyroid-related. I hope you are managing to stay well despite everything.

All the best

Caroline

[Mnmnmn]

Might be vitiligo? I started with vitiligo patches around the mouth and got tested for anti TPO as both autoimmune diseases have a correlation. These came back slightly higher than normal. No doc seemed concerned back then, as my TSH, Ts were normal and had no symptoms. 6 years later, I developed both Hashimoto and Graves. Patches around the lips are still there and now I also have some in the hands. Nothing will remove them but they don’t bother me either 😊

[Caroline888 in reply to Mnmnmn]

I don’t think it’s vitiligo. I have a friend who has that and it doesn’t look at all the same. Perhaps not very clear in the photo but mine is more of a puffy swollen area of seemingly thicker skin. It doesn’t really worry me much as I hardly notice it now. Am just grateful it hasn’t got any worse. Glad your vitiligo doesn’t bother you either. My friend’s patches seem to lie flush with the surrounding skin so that she could cover them with makeup if she chose to.

Hope you are well generally.

All the best

Caroline

[gigitheweegie]

I’d mention it to your dentist next time you are there. They are trained to deal with the head rather than just teeth. Might be best to get a referral to check there’s nothing going on. Always better to be safe than sorry in my mind. (Coming from someone who works in an oral surgery dept)

Probably nothing but perhaps I’m paranoid. I don’t like change

[Caroline888 in reply to gigitheweegie]

I did talk to my dentist about it and she was as much in the dark as the GP. I do have oral lichen planus which does not trouble me very much at all. I see the dentist regularly because of this.

I do feel convinced that this is another symptom of Hashimoto's in my case. As I mentioned above, there are photos online of men and women with similar ledges which are attributed to their being hypothyroid.

Just Google "what does facial Myxedema look like?"

Hope you are keeping well.

Thanks for your interest.

Best wishes

Caroline

[caritu]

I recently ran into a similar problem. At first, I did not expect much attention to this, but it was getting bigger. Since I work on television, in the beginning it could be hidden through proper sanctification, video editing and makeup. But when it became very noticeable, I realized that it was time to fix this problem. Many funds did not help me, I even despaired that I could not get rid of it until my colleague advised me to contact beautyinfospot.com/best-lip... . On this site I was advised a tool that helped me a lot. If anyone else has such a problem, then be sure to contact them, they will be happy to help you!

[Biker1666]

I also have this identical bump and have had long standing Hashimotos controlled with synthroid. The little separation in the lip between the bumps is also there. This has been the only forum or info I could find. I did not find info under Hashimotos. I feel less alone but am frustrated with having this. I started noticing this about two years ago and have had Hashimotos for 20 years.A dermatologist injected it saying it was scar tissue. No change

[DWheel28]

Hi Caroline

Thank god for your post as I truly thought I was the only one who had this, mine appeared around a year ago and has got worse in the year.

I have been to see so many proffesionals about it but its getting worse not better. I was even prescribed a low dose antidepressant that is normally used for nerve endings but nothing has worked. Mine also feels as if it throbs or pulls...I am aware of it every waking hour.

I am actually really scared that it will get even worse.

[Caroline888 in reply to DWheel28]

Hi

I’m sorry you’ve got the same “ledge” as I have. I too found it a bit upsetting to begin with but I’ve had it for six years and it’s never changed at all so hopefully yours won’t get any worse either. I always felt it might improve when my thyroid levels optimised but it never has done. However I’m not sure that my levels are ideal. I feel well enough but your ledge might improve over time if your thyroid medication is perfect for you.

I’m used to my ledge now and I don’t really think about it. I don’t think other people notice it as much as we do.

All the best

Caroline