Myxedema/NAC

[missrees]

Hello Thyroid UK people - how are you all?

I know that a lot of people with Hypothyroidism struggle with water retention - and mucin/myxedema in the skin - and I'm wondering if anyone has any information on that or personal experience?

I was recently referred to a Lymphedema clinic because of slight swelling in my right leg and left arm (but I also feel this swelling/water retention/thickened skin all over) - and the practitioner gleefully announced that - Oh yes - that's lymphedema! She gave me an arm sleeve and a stocking and said see you in 9 months. I'm not entirely convinced that it is Lymphedema and not Edema. I am trying to get another appointment with GP to get another opinion from someone else or get some tests done. I think they can check blood or they can do some sort of scan. Find out why I have Lymphedema - are my lymph nodes broken or is there another reason? I haven't had cancer or any operation around lymph node areas.

A post from while back by @xanderusa - which talks about mucin and using NAC as a supplement - and testing for mucin by rolling the skin - has anyone else used NAC - or anything else and found any success?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Here is another article on it: biodesignwellness.com/blog/...

Your help and experiences are always appreciated!

😘

[humanbean]

I take NAC - not daily but whenever I think I need it.

I don't use it for mucin removal or reduction either. I use it to thin the mucus in my lungs to make it easier to cough it up.

The rest of this post is a bit gross.

I'm an ex-heavy-smoker. I stopped 15 years ago. But the gunge sitting at the bottom of my lungs would never go away. I was seeing an NHS Stop Smoking Counsellor and asked how long it would take for my lungs to clear themselves out. She told me that it might start in a day, a week, a month, a year or possibly never, and there was nothing she could offer which helped. I was definitely one of the "never" people until I discovered NAC.

I discovered NAC about two years after I gave up smoking and it has made my lung health so much better.

I'm sure if I had never taken NAC I would have had lots of chest infections. The only time things got really bad since giving up smoking has been when I had my first bout of Covid.

Going back to the subject of mucin, I don't think NAC has ever removed any of mine even when I took it far more often than now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Swollen legs/arms can be lipodema, though usually this swelling would be same in both legs

lipoedema.co.uk

Are you on, or have you tried gluten and dairy free diet

[missrees in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm just about to embark on a gluten and dairy free diet to see if it helps overall. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to missrees]

I would initially only cut one out. Otherwise you can’t tell which is helping

Gluten is easier probably

Assuming it helps remain on it

Then try dairy free in 2-3 months time