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."
This is the brand I buy since it's 900mg Pure Encapsulations NAC 900 mg and truly vit c HealthForce SuperFoods Truly Natural Vitamin C it's absolutely pure..if you find something better let me know.. thks
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