Cushing’s Syndrome Summary Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder. The cause is long-term exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes. Sometimes, taking synthetic hormone medicine to treat an inflammatory disease leads to Cushing’s. Some kinds of tumors produce a hormone that can cause your body to make too much cortisol. Cushing’s syndrome is rare. Some symptoms are Upper body obesity Thin arms and legs Severe fatigue and muscle weakness High blood pressure High blood sugar Easy bruising Lab tests can show if you have it and find the cause. Your treatment will depend on why you have too much cortisol. If it is because you have been taking synthetic hormones, a lower dose may control your symptoms. If the cause is a tumor, surgery and other therapies may be needed. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Encyclopedia 17-hydroxycorticosteroids Cortisol level Hump behind the shoulders Diagnosis and Tests ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Cortisol Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — Head Array Array ACTH blood test Cortisol – urine Cushing syndrome Cushing syndrome – exogenous Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor Cushing’s disease Dexamethasone suppression test Ectopic Cushing syndrome Latest News Children with Cushing Syndrome May Have Higher Suicide Risk National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Cushing Syndrome National Institutes of Health Start Here Cushing Syndrome National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Cushing’s Syndrome American Academy of Family Physicians Cushing’s Syndrome National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Cushing’s Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Cushing’s Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children Cushing’s Syndrome in Children Cushing’s Support and Research Foundation Early Identification of Cushing’s Syndrome in Children Cushing’s Support and Research Foundation Reference Desk Endocrine System (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Find an Expert Find an Endocrinologist Hormone Health Network National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Cushing disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: primary macronodular adrenal hyperplasia National Library of Medicine Statistics and Research How Many People Are Affected by or at Risk for Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Related Issues Hypertension Hormone Health Network What Causes Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Treatments and Therapies Is There a Cure for Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Medications to Treat Cushing’s Cushing’s Support and Research Foundation What Are the Treatments for Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Journal Articles Cushing’s Syndrome Symptoms What Are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
