Discussing the Basics of Cushing's Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic (2021), Cushing’s Syndrome is when the body has an abundance of cortisol. There are medications that can cause this, such as oral corticosteroids, or it can happen due to the body producing too much cortisol. If left untreated, it can lead to osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, and loss of muscle strength (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Cleveland Clinic (2020) states that there are many symptoms that present in patients with Cushing’s Syndrome. Patients can have a rounded face, poor wound healing, purple colored stretch marks in the abdominal area, and blurry vision. Patients can also easily bruise around the arms and legs and have increased hair around the body and face (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

If a patient is suspected of Cushing’s Syndrome, there are some common tests that a physician might order. One of these tests is the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. In this test, a patient will take a low dose of dexamethasone (acts like cortisol) and then will have their cortisol levels taken the next morning. A physician would be suspicious of Cushing’s if cortisol remains high the next morning, since it is supposed to be low. Another test that might be ordered is a 24 hour urine cortisol test. This test is simple and involves collecting cortisol in urine over a period of 24 hours to determine if there is an excess amount. Another common test is the midnight salivary cortisol test. This test checks cortisol at 11PM and 12AM and if there are high levels of cortisol present suspicion for Cushing’s syndrome will be high (Cleveland Clinic, 2020).

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2020, September 9). Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism): Causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5497-cushings-syndrome

Mayo Clinic. (2021, April 30). Cushing syndrome. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310