Sign in

or Register now

CholesterolNetwork.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Save

Cushing syndrome - exogenous

Hypothalamus hormone production
Hypothalamus hormone production
Alternative Names

Cushing syndrome - corticosteroid induced; Corticosteroid-induced Cushing syndrome; Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome; Exogenous Cushing syndrome


Symptoms
  • Abdomen that sticks out and thin arms and legs (central obesity)
  • Acne
  • Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
  • Depression
  • Euphoria, not related to life situation
  • Excessive facial hair growth in females
  • Frequent and easy bruising
  • Headache
  • Impotence
  • Purple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
  • Round, red, and full face (moon face)
  • Stopping of menstruation
  • Weakness
  • Weight gain

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

  • Increased urination
  • Thirst

Signs and tests

In people who use cortisone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids, the following test results may suggest exogenous Cushing syndrome:

  • Low ACTH level
  • Low cortisol level
  • No response to a cosyntropin stimulation test
  • Higher than normal fasting glucose
  • Low serum potassium
  • Low bone density, as measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
  • High cholesterol, particularly high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

A method called high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can show high levels of the suspected medication in the urine.



Review Date: 03/18/2008
Reviewed By: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Was this helpful? Yes
  • Save

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

View all questions (1348) >
Free Newsletter
Get weekly updates, news alerts and more on Cholesterol and related health conditions.