It has been for me.  I'm hypothyroid too, but the swelling didn't start until after the mast cell disorder kicked into high gear.  It's much better now that I'm more stable... and I'm taking vitamin K (to counteract the blood-thinning effects of degranulation)... and I'm getting regular exercise.  

You should see my ankles when I travel though!

Heather

My feet and ankles are "rusty", like I don't wash them (but I do).   The color change is quite remarkable.   One physician commented that it was probably red blood cells leaking out of my blood vessels down there, and depositing iron in my skin.   I thought that kinda made sense.

When I'm having a good spell, the discoloration begins to fade, and gets worse when I'm not.

I think with mast cells, anything is possible.

Todd in Tenn.

Mike - Unless I've been doing really well for awhile (don't remember the last time that happened  ) mine are purple any time I'm sitting or standing still for a few minutes.  I think this is because I'm a leaker, so there are always mast cell mediators running around my system, dilating my blood vessels and lowering my blood pressure.  Often, my feet start to feel quite fat and really hurt from the blood pooling, and I think that does vary according to how full my "bucket" is.  I spend a lot of my time with my feet propped up.  

Funny, but very few docs got too excited about it, but I think it did make them more willing to believe there was something wrong, which helped all those years before I got a confirmed diagnosis.  They all agreed that no one's feet should be a lurid purple color!

Yes its a mast cell symptom. How do I know? I have diabetes2 also so I see a Podiatrist every month. He saw the red rusty color and said "Your red cells are breaking apart." He did 2 tests on circulation in my legs, results, circulation is great and I have a baker cyst behind each knee.

Now I also have skin writing on one foot that has been there over 1 year and my feet turn purple--which is Secondary Reynauds Syndrome. He told me do NOT wear rings (It affects my fingers too sometimes turning them white with sudden swelling and itching). I also have horrific neuropathy from Masto/Diabetes/Sjogrens Syndrome/Reynauds where I do the "firewalk". I take Neurontin for it and Mirapex for really severe restless leg syndrome.  

The problem (with me at least) is this--Mast Cell Disorders open the Immune System for other autoimmune things to affect you. Hope this helps some of you.
Hugs,
Ramona

Im on Neurontin but we had to raise the dosage to 800 mg 3 times a day. It helps me tremendously. I cant take Tramadol, it triggers me.  That menthol ointment you talk about? Is that the Lidocaine with spearment scent? I love that, I also use it on other areas too when they  are painful.

You said, " I can feel the slightest things touching my feet". I do that sometimes and it is so painful. I wear fluffy footies on my feet and even they feel horribly painful like broken glass, when my nerves are triggering. My poor hubby will offer to rub my feet and I say, "NO!" even the slightest breeze is painful. Laying down helps, just not much.

I have skin writing that looks like any picture you see of it--like swollen skin that has not broken the skin. I also have another type of "scratches" on the top of one foot that looks like red swelling Z or M back and forth, red, but not open. I bleed under the skin when I react and I think that is how these particular scratches occur.

I also get swelling in my legs and am on Lasix daily for it. I also used to get swelling in one leg only and with me, it was the bakers cyst in the back of my knee. It comes and goes and elevating it helps. See your DR if you think you have one. See your DR, period if you have swelling in one leg, Lisa is right, do not delay.

OK this may be particular to me alone, I do not claim the above as masto symptoms but I hope this helps someone
Hugs,
Ramona