Has anyone found that being hypothyroid altered their physical appearance?

Question

For me before I was even diagnosed people commented on how I seem to have aged overnight, on how if I was stressed it affected my complextion (as in it took on a craggy dehydrated appearance, much like how people look if they're perhaps a bit older & have had a few too many drinks) & that my eyes looked funny?? All I could see re my eyes is that my eyelids had dropped & had more fatty tissue than usual & fatty deposits under my eyes & that this caused me to look more aged than I did before. After I was diagnosed I wasn't sure if that was just aging or a symptom of the hypothyroidism thing. Did anyone have anything similar happen? I don't mean dramatic bags under my eyes but just a slight rise in fat that caused under eye circles to show under the unflattering flourescent lighting at work. And I got very wrinkled under the eyes. I have heard that hypothyroidism can cause premature aging (but that it can be reversed if you improve your thyroid problem). I also wondered if I had a slightly less lively look about my actual eyes as well. I'm still not sure on that one as I notice new people I meet sometimes look at my eyes a bit strangely as though they're confused about something to do with them or think they look strange. Apparently some people have thought I had a drinking or recreational drug problem which has caused rumours. I just can't believe how awful it's been that the physical appearance of my face appears to be affecting me professionally & socially. It's only family & friends that treat me normally really, but some of them have said they noticed there is something different about my eyes sometimes but they can't really explain it (or maybe they can & they're just being polite). I also had judgement at work re the weight gain. People were adamant I was going home & pigging out & was just eating normally in front of people at work. I was really offended by that. I've always eaten low fat foods & nothing had changed. It was only the thyroid condition that caused the weight gain re it slowing my metabolism. Any similar experiences? Particularly by anyone in a senior or management or professional occupation where perhaps you are a bit more high profile than the average person there?

littlesoupbowl · Answer

I'm only 18 and I have really bad wrinkles around my eyes possibly from HypoT. It really sucks as I am young and I take really god care of my skin too :(

redheadaussie · Answer

My family said I looked like I had been on the booze too long! Bah! They aren't very kind to start with. I do know that I looked horrible like a bag lady or something. I was bloated, hair looked like straw, eyes had lines under them...you get the picture. Some people said I looked like I had had a stroke as my left side was droopy a bit too.
  I know how you feel but once you get your levels right you will find you will bounce back and seem like a flower coming out of the snow. All beautiful again.

peggy64 · Answer

I have seen it too, I look like a tired worn out washed out woman. It is difficult. But there are so many other things that are going on right now, with hypoT that looks just don't matter quite as much right now. 

It is embarrassing when a friend comes over to check on me and you know you look terrible. However, getting some sleep, getting my strength back, getting my life back are taking precedence right now.

I can fully relate, but try not to focus on that too much as stress and worrying have helped contribute to this mess in the first place.