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Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity), "moon face", excess sweating, telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), atrophy of the skin (which gets thin and bruises easily) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (known as a buffalo hump). The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea and infertility. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to frank psychosis. Depression and anxiety, including panic attacks, are common.
Other signs include persistent hypertension (due to the aldosterone-like effects) and insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Untreated Cushing's syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Cushing's syndrome due to excess ACTH may also result in hyperpigmentation of the skin, due to its ability to stimulate melanocyte receptors.
Last edited by wishes; February 13th, 2007 at 06:40 PM.
Reason: Entire thing was a link - now just the url is
Hi, photocrazed!
I was actually tested for Cushing's just a few months ago... my cortisol levels were high after 2 seperate tests. I was sent to an endocrinologist who ruled it out with further tests.
This isn't a common condition, but for someone who is suffering with it, finding the cause would be wonderful. It's typically caused either by prescription steroid use or a growth on either the pituitary or adrenal glands. It's certainly something to be aware of for folks who have these symptoms. Thanks!
Last edited by Shrinking; February 13th, 2007 at 05:08 PM.
Reason: I couldn't spell endocrinologist!!! :D
I see that wishes edited the link info. I actually use excerpts from articles etc as the link purposefully, so that wherever you click, you go to the page, but if I should not be doing that, I'll try to remember to stop.
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