I’ve had hypothyroidism since last 5 years. Since then I’ve noticed a lot of difference in my looks. Before I was diagnosed or even before I started experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, I looked really beautiful. Almost every guy that met me wanted to be with me but in the last few years my face has completely changed and almost no guy wants to be with me. The same people that used to compliment my looks now tell me how ugly I am. People keep telling me that my face looks completely different now than 5-6 years ago. I’ve put on few kgs since my diagnosis. I’m 21 y/o 5’5 female and I weigh 62kgs. I’m borderline overweight but I don’t think few kgs should make this much difference on my face. My eyes are almost always puffy and no matter how much sleep I get I always look sleepy. I’ve got “sleepy eyes” basically half opened eyes and I can’t open my eyes fully even if I try to. I used to be known as someone with big eyes which used to open fully. Also since the thyroid issue, my face produces some sticky substance which could be oil and grease. Still my skin is very dry. It’s so bad that either I have to wash my face every hour or I have to apply makeup to hide that grease on my face. If I don’t do that I look like I haven’t washed my face in 3 months and so many people have commented that exact thing to me. Even tho I’ve never had to deal with acne issues or any bumps/scars on my face, my skin still doesn’t seem to look clear. My face also has become wider in size and looks much bigger now. Also my face has turned to look more masculine now and everytime I apply makeup people often tell me I look like a transgender person. My makeup wears off in less than an hour because of that grease anyway. Also my upper lips look like that of a man who’s just shaved their mustache. I’ve only used face razors 4-5 times in my life and mostly I remove my tiny upper lips hair with the process of threading. It almost feels like I’m turning uglier and uglier with time. Can this be anyhow related to hypothyroidism? Cause I do not have any other conditions or issues.
Help please : I’ve had hypothyroidism since last... - Thyroid UK
Help please
Oh yes, it certainly can be. And more than likely is. Being hypo changes everything. If you google "before and after photos of people with hypothyroidism" you will find lots of photos of hypos before and after starting treatment.
Welcome to the forum wannabeactive,
So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg current medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:
TSH
FT3
FT4
Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health: thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Recently got my level tested; a week ago. I started taking 87.5mcg thyroxine after my reports. Initially I was taking 75mcg.
Do you have copies of your blood results and ranges to share? If not, do. ask for a copy and share with us. Is it possible to test thyroid antibodies in Nepal, to see if your thyroid issues are autoimmune (aka Hashimotos)?
As RedApple has suggested, it may be useful to also test sex hormone levels if you have concerns about facial hair.
I got my t3, t4 and tsh levels checked ; a week ago. Before this I was taking 75mcg thyroxine and now I’m taking 87.5mcg thyroxine. My levels before were t3: 2.7, t4: 1.4 and tsh: 10.2. And my levels now are t3: 2.88, t4: 0.90 and tsh: 28.45. Also, I got my antibodies checked around 6 months ago but the reports aren’t with me right now.
Can you let us know the ranges for each test and put in brackets after the result (as these vary between laboratories)?
TSH needs to be under 2, so likely you will need a significant increase in medication.
Have you tested ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D as these need to be optimal to support thyroid health.
For before test- t3: 2.7(2.0-4.20) t4: 1.4(0.89-1.72) and tsh: 10.2(0.30-4.50) And my recent test- t3: 2.88(1.21-4.18) t4: 0.90(0.89-1.72) and tsh: 28.45(0.34-4.50). I was shown deficient in vitamin B12 and vitamin D couple of months ago but I don’t know the details and neither have those reports with me right now.
I would retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after taking your increased Levo dose.
If you were deemed deficient in vit D and B12, are you now supplementing?
Hirsutism nhs.uk/conditions/hirsutism/ can be caused by various hormone issues. It's also a sign of possible polycystic ovaries. Definitely talk with your doctor about your symptoms
I don’t think I have a problem with excessive hair growth. But it does grow a bit faster compared to some of my other girl friends. I also do not have any problem with my period cycle they’re always on time and I’ve never really missed one.
wannabeactive, Please talk to your doctor about your worries. There's a chance that your sex hormone levels have gone awry, so ask your doctor for these to be tested alongside the other thyroid and vitamin tests.
Can I have low sex hormone levels even tho my periods are always on time?
wannabeactive, Sorry, I don't know enough about the subject to answer your questions. There are different types of hormones and the whole subject of hormones is really quite complicated. This forum is really only for discussion of thyroid hormones. That's why I suggested you talk with your doctor about the concerns you have over the dramatic changes in the condition of your skin and your facial appearance that you've described in your post. If you have a 'before' and 'after' photos, you could take those to show your doctor.
e.g 'my face produces some sticky substance which could be oil and grease. ' and 'Also my face has turned to look more masculine now and everytime I apply makeup people often tell me I look like a transgender person. '
are you really based in Nepal?
yes
how much levothyroxine are you taking
Bloods need retesting 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Get your doctor to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 and thyroid antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)
Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
I got my t3, t4 and tsh levels checked ; a week ago. Before this I was taking 75mcg thyroxine and now I’m taking 87.5mcg thyroxine. My levels before were t3: 2.7, t4: 1.4 and tsh: 10.2. And my levels now are t3: 2.88, t4: 0.90 and tsh: 28.45.
now I’m taking 87.5mcg thyroxine.
How long have you been on this dose before your most recent results
Do you always take your levothyroxine on empty stomach and then only drink water for at least an hour after
my recent test-
t3: 2.88(1.21-4.18)
t4: 0.90(0.89-1.72)
tsh: 28.45(0.34-4.50)
Was test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
deficient in vitamin B12 and vitamin D couple of months ago but I don’t know the details and neither have those reports with me right now.
So are you now taking vitamin D, vitamin B complex and a separate B12 supplement
have you had iron and ferritin levels tested
Been on the dose for a week now. Before that I was taking 75mcg. For the before test- t3: 2.7(2.0-4.20) t4: 1.4(0.89-1.72) and tsh: 10.2(0.30-4.50) And my recent test- t3: 2.88(1.21-4.18) t4: 0.90(0.89-1.72) and tsh: 28.45(0.34-4.50). Yes I do take my medicine on empty stomach and then leave an hour gap.
absolutely no point retesting levels until been on new dose for minimum 6-8 weeks…..or a bit longer
omg finally someone with the same issues as me I was so pretty before I got diagnosed with thyroid everyone used to compliment me but now everyone calls me ugly every person and I look very ugly too I was diagnosed at 17 rn I’m 18 n I’m soo tired of being ugly
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Would love some advice
Eyebrows have started growing again : )
Need Advice Please
Increased anxiety…
Menopaused. Would starting HRT mean reducing NDT? Has anyone experience of this please?
I’m fine. Really?
Thyroidectomy or not? Thyroidmegaly and multi modular goiter. 
methinks it's time to add some T3......thoughts ?
Teva, Teva, every where, Nor any tab of Venc
Just needing a bit of tlc :)
