Just because you are on HRT does not mean your eyes and the essence of you will change and become unrecognizable. It does not mean you cannot be recognized. I look at my sisters and they bear a strong resemblence to me and today after almost 4 years on hormones and post op I still see the old me but wow I do look now like my sisters.
I think its good that a friend sees the old you, you must have made a strong impression. Be positive, from your avitar I see female, its the strangers that count. Our friends dont want to lose the old you, so they look for it and find whats left and cling on to that.