For finding it weird I'm seemingly going through adolescence at 27?

[Auburndreamz]

Some important context before I mention anything else. Throughout all of my life, I've consistently looked much younger than my real age. At 16, people said I looked about 9 or 10. I had no acne when I was 16, only up until recently. At 21, a doctor said I look about 12. At 27, people, as well as AI, say I look around 16-18. Starting from 2 years ago, my poreless face quickly began developing visible pores, my skin got immensely greasy, I'm talking, so greasy, you can put a paper towel on my cheek and there'd be a mark on the towel greasy. The acne on my face is so bad that there's huge patches of my face that are just red. There's so many big bumps and tiny ones they merge into eachother, and I'm constantly breaking out even with adapalene. My chin is the worst but even my forehead isn't spared. It's a mix of closed comedones and cystic acne. My face feels constantly inflamed and hurts alot.

What's more, is my bones are still growing! I remember measuring my shoulder width in my early 20's, and they were about 12 to 13 inches across. Now, they're slightly over 15 inches wide. It's the actual bones that have grown, I have remained the same weight. At 19% bodyfat, I'm pretty lean.

I have seen some changes in my torso shape. I used to have a very narrow upper torso, but now it's actually got some kind of V shape to it. I don't train, so as well as bones growing, I'm also growing muscle in places, while losing fat which is why my weight is staying the same. I'm also pretty sure my jaw has gotten slightly wider as well.

PCOS was ruled out. I've had my hormones tested, and there's nothing about my androgens, testosterone, oestrogen, etc that are out of range. I'm not premenopausal or menopausal. DHEA-S was slightly low but that's about it. TSH etc normal. My doctors seem very puzzled. I've been referred to a specialist but who knows when I'll be seeing him or her lol. I'm not on any meds that could affect my hormones. In 2024 I literally went from having clear skin to a pizza face within just one month.

I know that adolescent ≠ teenager and there's variation in ages people go through certain stages of adolescence but is seemingly going through it at 27 a bit much or should I just suck it up and wait?

Adult onset acne
very common

Is your GP doing any further investigations?

Do you take any kind of health supplements? Your body fat is at the bottom end of the normal range, what's your diet like? What exercise do you do?

Any changes to your breasts?

Or your periods?

My bones have been growing recently, as well. My shoulder bones have actually widened 2-3 inches.

I was referred to a specialist last month. But it might take a while before I'm seen.

No supplements, I don't go to the gym or train. At most I'll do walking. Diet wise, my appetite isn't big, but I've always been like that. I'm vegetarian.

No changes to periods.

They have fine hairs on them. Like peach fuzz. Were completely smooth before.

Has anyone close to you mentioned? Do you have a partner?

Yes. They've also noticed my shoulder bones being wider and how my voice has gotten slightly deeper.

Are you trying to tell us you’re turning in to a man 🤔

Do you have a partner?

I was going to ask if you live with or are intimate with anyone who uses testosterone gel? Very unlikely I’m sure, but just wondered. Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long to see a specialist.

Adult acne is normal; I had completely clear skin until I was in my twenties and then awful acne for the next twenty years.

The rest is a bit odd though and hopefully you’ll solve the mystery.

It sounds like testosterone has entered your system somehow, either by external means or an endocrine disorder.

No lol. I've got no facial hair, I'd say it's more like puberty than turning into a man. My androgens aren't raised. And yes

I thought so, too. But my testosterone and androgens are normal. My DHEA-S is on the lower end.

So you have a partner. Male or female? What have they said about the change (over what period of time?)

It feels like that doesn’t it.

OP is there anything you put in your body that isn’t just food, anything imported or chemicals, any creams or lotions…what’s next with the doctors plans

It does
and no posting history 🤔

I’m giving benefit of the doubt though, sometimes random things can happen with hormones. I started getting significantly increased facial hair in my early 30s and despite having 1 period every 2 years I’ve apparently got normal results in all tests and I’m not going through the menopause, no PCOS…I’ve given up trying to work it out.

No, nothing. Unless you count make up I've been using for ages and anti histamines for allergies. I'm due to see a specialist. The doctor seemed quite confused/puzzled.

OP, if your periods started as expected and it sounds from your posts like they did then your puberty has already been and gone.

Whats happening to you now sounds more like an endocrine disorder (unless you've been exposed to external hormones somehow).

You should see an endocrinologist before possible permanent damage is done to your body.

Doctor sent a referral for me to see an endocrinologist last month. Still waiting on an appointment date.

I went through a similar maturing at that age. Both physical & emotional, some of the same things you’re describing. I remember my mother saying that I was easy as a teenager, but at 28 I went through a bit of a crisis… Investigations into PCOS at the time. Everything sort of settled down again by 30, but it was a definite shift for me. Bad skin & body hair really bothered me at that age too… It was quite strange!

Hopefully you'll get an appointment soon.

There are some endocrine conditions that present like your symptoms to do with the pituitary, but I can't remember off hand how or if they would show up in standard sex hormone bloodtests. The endocrine system is obviously so much more than sex hormones. Ideally you'll be offered a scan though.

Good luck OP, I hope you get some answers.

Have you noticed any changes to your teeth?

Thanks!😀

My last brain scan was over half a decade ago. As for changes in teeth, no besides being told I've got wisdom teeth trying to come up and those wisdom teeth are lying almost horizontal... eek!