This is not my post. Just found in another forum and I think it should be helpful for this community:
"Just wanted to share my own experience and information about mucin, which is common with hypothyroid patients. Many hypo patients aren't aware of this.
From Thyroid Patient Advocacy: "Mucin is a normal constituent of our tissues. It is a jelly-like material that spontaneously accumulates in hypothyroidism. Mucin grabs onto water and causes swelling. The edema or swelling associated with hypothyroidism usually begins around the face, particularly above or below the eyes and along the jaw line. However, the skin on the side of the upper arms may be thickened early in the course of the disease. The swelling associated with hypothyroidism is firm and will eventually spread throughout our bodys connective tissues. This type of swelling is unique to hypothyroidism. Normal skin is relatively thin, and you may easily lift it with your thumb and index finger. If you look, youll find a number of people whose skin is almost impossible to lift. This is due to the marked swelling and glue-like infiltration of mucin in the skin and underlying tissues that result from hypothyroidism. Women's skin usually has slightly more subcutaneous fat than men. Hence, their skin tends to be thicker. Today's doctors are not taught to examine for thickened skin or other physical manifestations of the illness."
I had this and never knew what it was. I always thought it was odd though that I couldn't "grab" my own skin. The skin, particularly on my jawline, legs, and my arms could not be lifted at all. I remember asking several doctors (along this unbelievable nightmare of a journey) about it, but there was never a definitive answer...they just didn't know.
So after researching and researching (anyone who knows me, knows this is what I do...I'm determined to figure out the cause/root of the problem and do something about it), I found out about this thing called "mucin" that is so prevalent with hypothyroidism. I also learned that taking NAC (N - ACETYL CYSTEINE) could help. NAC should always be taken along with vitamin C (2-3x as much) to protect the kidneys. I began taking it (along with vitamin C) approximately 3 years ago. I had to remind myself that I've had hypothyroidism for over 25 years (and most of that time, not well treated), so I knew this particular issue wasn't going to change overnight. I had to be patient. About 2 years into it, I noticed a slight difference and today, I can finally grab some skin on my legs and on my forearms like a "normal" person. So it's working, albeit very slow-going. But that's ok...I realize that hypothyroidism (and hormonal issues in general) is very, very complicated, and I, for one, am proud of myself for not giving up and continuing on this path to better health. I am still working on other issues such as cortisol levels and iron issues currently. Its definitely not easy and its not something that changes/improves overnight, for sure. Add in this awful shortage of certain NDTs and you have a good recipe for disaster and/or return of hypo symptoms all over again.
Anyway, for anyone who has alot of mucin buildup due to hypothyroidism, you may want to try NAC (don't forget the vitamin C) to help with that issue. NAC is actually good for lots of things, not just this issue."
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I would love to try NAC as I have what I think is mucin below my bottom lip and also a small pad of it below each nostril. I have had it for over two years. It appeared virtually overnight and has never changed. My concern is that I’ve heard it is not a good thing to take when you have mercury fillings. Do you know anything about that?
From the (very limited) reading I have done, I understood that the opposite was the case - that it is suggested to be used both as a first stage natural chelating/detoxification supplement when considering filling removal; and when keeping the fillings, it can be used for ongoing chelating of the mercury that is constantly being given off by the fillings. There is a 2009 study by Hibberd et al, that looked at the relative benefits of different substances for chelating purposes in patients who had, or until recently had, amalgam fillings: oral DL-2,3-dimercapto-succinic acid, magnesium salt (DMSA); 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane-sulphonic acid, sodium salt (DMPS); N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and potassium citrate B.P. (K Cit.) Based on the increase in urinary metallic mercury (Hg) concentrations after single doses, compared with controls, the order of efficacy was: DMPS plus K Cit., NAC plus K Cit., and DMSA (each producing an increase of 163%), then in descending order, DMSA plus K Cit., DMPS, NAC, and K Cit.
Thank you MaisieGray! Very interesting. I can’t remember where I saw that NAC released mercury from the fillings into the bloodstream so that it was then able to be deposited in the brain. I think I am now motivated to look into this further!
You are correct , NAC should not be taken if you have any mercury fillings , even a speck. Andrew Cutler the foremost authority on mercury toxicity, has a site in his name, ( Andrew Cutler chelation) which is a mine of information on safe mercury removal. The advisors are always warning of the dangers of taking NAC if you have any mercury fillings.
Thank you loisbrucie for replying to my post. Certainly I have always understood that NAC isn’t a good idea when you have mercury fillings and you seem to strongly agree with that. In light of MaisieGray’s post, I will look into it further. I believe charcoal is supposed to aid with removal of mercury from the body but haven’t tried that yet either.
Thank you so much for your post, I found that extremely interesting, as I have mucin below my bottom lip and a small pad on my right eye. These changes appeared almost over night and I wondered what they were. Now I know!!
Strange that you have mucin underneath your bottom lip too. Have you had it long? Mine appeared virtually overnight over two years ago and has never changed. I have always hoped that when I finally worked out the correct dose of levo it would go away but so far no luck. Not really a big problem though - I’ve sort of got used to it!
Yes, the funny pads under my bottom lip I have learned to live with. Don’t know when they appeared, I just noticed them 9 months ago. I would like to get rid of the pad below my eye, though, but I am taking already so many essential supplements that I don’t feel like adding another.
I know what you mean about all the tablets we are already taking. However I would try NAC if convinced that it was a good idea and would eliminate the mucin.
I have four fairly large mercury fillings. When I last had a broken mercury filling removed (and replaced with a crown) I was advised to take activated charcoal to remove the released mercury from the body, but when I did some research I read that this could have the effect of also releasing mercury from my remaining fillings into the bloodstream. I think activated charcoal is probably advisable if all mercury fillings are being removed but I'm no expert.
There is so much conflicting advice about NAC and mercury fillings. It's a minefield! So, for the moment at least, I will not be adding yet another pill to my pillbox.
I have gained huge amounts of belly fat since becoming hypo and taking Levo. Just tried to lift the skin and can’t. I will take NAC and Vit C- Thankyou so much for this article
I take NAC to alleviate perennial catarrh, and the coughing fits caused by laughter. I hadn't cottoned on to the dangers of using in the presence of amalgam fillings, but last time I had one of the blighters removed I was advised to take extra selenium plus l-methionine to help excrete any mercury that entered the circulation. Maybe I should continue with that protocol in the longer term. 🤔
The only thing that helped me with removal of mucin was changing over to T3 monotherapy. It hasn't got rid of all of it, and years down the line I still can't lift the skin on the backs of my arms and other places. I also retain a lot of fluid, but that could well be due to other factors: allergy, for instance.
As physios we use skin rolling to check mobility of tissues and to treat any area bound down. I knew I was in trouble when skin rolling was only possible in a few areas. I had soft lumps almost everywhere checked with ultrasound scans (they scanned everyone palpable), found to be lipomas, I was convinced it was poorly diagnosed and treated hypothyroidism.
After NDT for 2 years, and other treatments for now diagnosed conditions, the fatty lumps are smaller or resolved and most of my body responds to skin rolling, just my upper arms prove very solid.
Interestingly almost all frozen shoulder ladies I worked with (large numbers over the years) had solid upper arms and shoulder regions with no skin rolling possible. It was something I had the whole department look out for.
I also read that Serrapeptase works good on the mucin release as well as activated charcoal, and metmorfin or berberine. I have no idea about the connection even tho. Yet other ppl said these ones have done nothing for them. All I know NAC works but it takes really time like 6 months per area or something.
That is very interesting and I’m sure that everyone that reads your post will be checking to see if they can lift their skin easily, I can’t on my legs at all, so is this another thyroid health problem that we need to be concerned about? I already have a long list of things that I’m trying to work on for Hashimoto’s, I hate to think of adding another one.
Yes of course. If you can't u probably got mucin as most ppl. If you have Hashis as me you should try LDN to lower your antibodies, get adrenal adapthogens to fix your adrenals so you get the right amount of cortisol. I've got hashis but because I've got Lyme D. which in turn turned my Epstein-Barr Virus that was dormant. Maybe you should test for Epstein Barr since that could be the culprit for your Hashis or high antibodies reacting to this herpes virus. I'm planning to start a MMS protocol that includes apricot seeds to kill the viruses and bacteria along with albendazole for just 21 days starting at moon light. It's been said it works really good on Hashis or Thyroid conditions since they believe the culprit of thyroid thing is a bacteria or virus.
How do you know that it is mucin and not subcutaneous fat? The fat is attached to the dermis and so would produce the same result if there was enough of it.
Thanks, but I don’t have much of a clue about either really, I had never heard of mucin before until now, it really makes me wonder how many things can be connected to the thyroid.
There is a diffuse, variable interstitial deposition of mucin in the reticular dermis. The reticular dermis is greatly thickened, often at the expense of the subcutaneous fat, because of swelling and separation of collagen bundles. Eccrine glands therefore become abnormally situated within the upper third or mid-dermis. Sometimes multiple biopsies are necessary for demonstrating mucin.
Thanks, I’m familiar with adrenal adaptogens, I take ashwagandha and holy basil but not on a regular basis, and I do like herbal remedies. I’m not familiar with LDN. Sorry to hear about your Lyme disease and Epstein Barr, I will consider testing for the Epstein Barr. Good luck with your MMS protocol, I looked it up, if it’s the Miracle Mineral Supplement that contains bleach it has some bad side affects in high doses, I hope that you’ve seen all of them.
I knew I was not the only one worried about that, the accumulation of mucin or multipolysaccharides destroyed my self-esteem, my face went from being thin to round even without gaining weight, my eyelids swelled so much that I had to have a blepharoplasty, In fact, until now I don't like how I look in the pictures. Endocrinologists definitely need a more complete preparation for the good of their patients, which ranges from the physiological to aesthetic issues, as this greatly influences our mood and quality of life.
I read up about mucin when I was fed up with my ankles swelling up.
If I remember mucin is the same ingredient as mucus. It just appears in totally the wrong places, which causes a build up.
Will definitely try this. I seem to keep mine at bay drinking lots of fluid and trying to avoid gluten, sugar and dairy.
I know with this upset in our metabolism anything can get out of balance. I think that’s why, out of the blue, I developed a large lipoma (fatty lump) on my shoulder.
This is fascinating as someone with Myxedema & 30kg of mucin which is destroying my kidney transplant I am desperate for help as every Endocrinologist has dismissed it as. Hypothyroidism symptom. May I ask which forum you found this?
Thank you for posting this. I am late to the party, having recently been diagnosed with advanced hypothyroidism. I have LOTS of mucin accumulation in my legs, but was taking NAC and ascorbic acid for two years as part of a covid protocol. The mucin only started when I stopped it. Needless to say, I will be using it again. Thanks.
I started taking LDN or low dose naltrexone earlier this year and it has had a dramatic effect on my mucin build up. It’s gone from my face and upper arms completely. There’s still some on my legs and stomach. I’m also generally feeling much better in many ways. I’ve had to reduce my T3 dose as LDN appears to reduce the body’s need for replacement hormone.
The only downside is that I now look much older as I have wrinkled skin where before it was plumped up by mucin!
I obtain LDN privately from Clinic158. com in Glasgow. It’s very reasonable in price and you can self refer for a consultation over the phone. It’s particularly recommended for Hashimoto’s and fibromyalgia but it is used for many other problems too. Lots of info available online from the LDN Trust, a charity.
I'm glad to hear about your positive experience with LDN. By any chance do have any painful conditions that responded to it? You don't have to give any details, just a yay or nay is fine.
yes, my fibromyalgia has improved. More stamina, increased my step count. It’s helping with my dreadful multiple chemical sensitivity, it’s not gone but the symptoms have changed which is a step in the right direction I feel. I take the sublingual drops now as the liquid wasn’t good for my stomach.
I know this is an old post but wanted to share that I improved mucin on my upper arms by doing Gua Sha, it brings up sha to the surface and will look similar to bruising but that’s a good thing, it’s a Chinese medicine technique, I only did it once and my arms are so different, I had mucin for many years, my arms are now more wobbly because I can actually pinch the skin.
I studied Gua Sha therapy but it is easy to do, get a clean jam jar lid, apply lots of oil to your skin and scrap downwards.,
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