Amy Schumer says shocking health diagnosis was sparked by 'moon face' comments
Amy Schumer has revealed how comments about her 'moon face' led to a shocking health diagnosis.
The Inside Amy Schumer star, 43, has been the subject of cruel comments regarding her appearance over recent years - with trolls more recently poking fun at her 'puffier' face online.
At first Schumer brushed off the jabs, clapping back at cruel comments on Instagram with the following statement: "Thank you so much for everyone's input about my face!
"I've enjoyed feedback and deliberation about my appearance as all women do for almost 20 years."
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However the trolling led to several worried doctors weighing in on her changing appearance, which came as a surprise to Schumer.
"At first, I was like, 'f*** off'," she told Alex Cooper on an episode of Call Her Daddy podcast.
"Doctors were chiming in in the comments and they were, like, 'No, no, something's really up. Your face looks so crazy'.
"I'm like, 'Wait, I'm getting trolled by doctors?'"
The concerned physicians noted that she may be suffering from a condition called Cushing's Syndrome - which led Schumer to seek a diagnosis.
What is Cushing's Syndrome?
According to guidance from the NHS, Cushing's Syndrome is a condition which occurs when there is too much cortisol in the body. Common symptoms include puffy, rounded face as well as weight gain, skin that bruises easily and purple stretch marks appearing on the skin.
The condition typically occurs on people who have been taking steroid medicine for an extended period of time, however in a small number of situations the condition can develop naturally if there is a tumour in the pituitary or adrenal glands - which are responsible for the production of cortisol.
Left untreated, Cushing's Syndrome can lead to serious complications such as high blood pressure.
Schumer initially dismissed the concerns as trolling until she discovered the steroid connection with the condition.
Recalling the light-bulb moment when she realised the internet may actually be on to something, the actress said: "Wait, I have been getting steroid injections for my scars.
"I got these was getting these steroid injections and so it gave me this thing called Cushing syndrome."
When it comes to curing Cushing's Syndrome caused by prolonged steroid use, a patient's steroid dose is either decreased or stopped in order to reduce cortisol levels.
"I wouldn’t have known [about Cushing's Syndrome] if the internet hadn’t come for me so hard," she added
Perhaps this will be the first - and most likely last - case where internet trolling actually lead to a productive outcome.
Brenna Cooper