If Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism is causing the moon face, your healthcare provider will treat it as part of your condition. Not everyone who has a health condition like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome will get it, either. If prednisone or another corticosteroid is causing the condition, your healthcare provider may reduce your dosage. But it can also be a sign of a health condition like Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism. With a morning and bedtime formula, it helps counteract side effects like moon face, weight gain, and fatigue. They may be able to offer alternative treatment options. If you have moon face, you may feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Not everyone who takes corticosteroids gets moon face. Moon face can be difficult to predict, so it’s hard to prevent. Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that causes symptoms known as Cushingoid facies or Cushingoid appearance. Moon face has several causes, including long-term steroid use and certain health conditions. Using steroid medication like prednisone for a long time is often the cause. The medical term for this is moon facies, but other people call it cortisol face. Moon face is a common side effect of corticosteroid use and a symptom of certain health conditions. Related symptoms like a slow heart rate from prednisone should be evaluated immediately. When you take prednisone, your body reacts by storing fat differently. It’s part of a condition called corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy, which refers to the redistribution of fat in the body. And women are also more likely to develop hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome. Anyone who takes corticosteroids, like prednisone, for a long time (more than a few weeks) has a high risk of developing moon face. When your body produces too much cortisol, it can cause Cushing’s syndrome. If corticosteroids cause moon face, it may start improving once you stop the medication. Other causes may require medication or, sometimes, surgery. When corticosteroids are the cause, moon face typically resolves when candy96.fun you stop the medication. You may also develop a "buffalo hump," which is extra fat on the back of the neck. I remember looking in the mirror and feeling like a stranger was staring back at me. It’s easy to tell someone to "just ride it out," but that doesn’t help when you’re feeling self-conscious or frustrated. To understand moon face, it helps to know how prednisone works. For many, it’s not just a cosmetic concern—it’s a daily reminder of the challenges of taking this life-saving, but side-effect-heavy, medication. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. If you need to continue with your current treatment, consider joining a support group so you can connect with others in your shoes. If you stop all at once, your body may not have enough cortisol. Corticosteroids and Cushing's syndrome, for example, can have these effects. Any weight gain can make your face look rounder, especially when combined with fluid retention. Over time, this weight gain may give the face a rounder, puffier appearance. It can also occur after you've had radiation treatment or because you had your thyroid gland removed. When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. If treatment is effective, all of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including moon face, will eventually disappear. If moon face is bothering you, talk to your healthcare provider. The dosage needs to be gradually reduced (tapered) under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Long-term steroid use can affect your adrenal glands, causing them to release a high amount of hormones like cortisol, a stress hormone. Corticosteroids like prednisone are one of the most common causes of moon face. But since it changes how you look, it can affect your self-esteem and take a toll on your mental health. The buildup of fat deposits in the side of your skull can make your face so round that you can’t see your ears from the front. Although harmless, the condition can affect your self-esteem. This often results in weight gain and facial swelling, making moon face a common symptom. Corticosteroids are used for various conditions, but moon face is commonly linked to long-term use. Amongst its many roles, cortisol regulates insulin levels and balances fluid and salt. Moon face can arise from several causes, with long-term use of corticosteroids being among the most common.