Face flushed, lips very red on waking

[Precisely]

Every few days, I wake up to find that my face is slightly flushed, and my lips are very reddish-pink. When I see this, I think I look great -- but a friend said that this may indicate that something is wrong. Something about carbon monoxide? But there is nothing utilizing gas or combustion during the summer, and the propane tank has been empty for 8 months.

I drink lots of water, my lips are rarely dry or chapped, and my skin has excellent capillary rebound, so I know that I am not dehydrated. I do have asthma, which I take meds daily for. I am also low-thyroid, so take Armor thyroid 120 mgs daily. I am 60 yrs old, female, have a estrodial ring, clear skin (other than a few skin tags), very dry, brittle hair, am 30 lbs overweight. I live in a rural area, sleep with my window open except in the coldest times, and am at 7150 ft. elevation. Also, occasionally I get "apthous ulcers" which resolve with saltwater gargles and glycerin.

I understand myself to be a 'night person' mainly because it takes me till dark to feel crisply functional. I need 2 hours, with a cup of strong coffee upon waking, to feel energised enough to drive, or do my work (graphic design). But then I can stay up all night, preferring to get my deepest sleep between dawn and noon.

I hope any one reading this understands that all the detail just provided is to help develop a profile/context regarding whether there is anything to worry about when I wake up with flushed lips. By the way, my eyes are clear, not yellow or anything odd, when I wake up. The high color disappears in 15 minutes or so.

Should I be concerned? Thank you for your replies!

[Precisely]

Thank you! I'll make a clinic appointment.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You need to get your hemoglobin levels checked for flushing of face. Otherwise inadequate sleep due to altered sleep-wake cycle may also be responsible for your symptoms.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.