Symptoms & Signs
Symptoms usually include:
- Upper body obesity (above the waist) and thin arms and legs
- Round, red, full face (moon face)
- Slow growth rate in children
Skin changes that are often seen:
- Acne or skin infections
- Purple marks (1/2 inch or more wide) called striae on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
- Thin skin with easy bruising
Muscle and bone changes include:
- Backache, which occurs with routine activities
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
- Thinning of the bones, which leads to rib and spine fractures
- Weak muscles
Women often have:
- Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs
- Menstrual cycle becomes irregular or stops
Men may have:
- Decreased fertility
- Decreased or no desire for sex
- Impotence
Other symptoms that may occur include:
- Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
- Fatigue
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Increased thirst and urination
Diagnosis & Tests
Tests to confirm Cushing syndrome:
- 24-hour urine sample to measure the following:
- Urine cortisol
- Urine creatinine
- Dexamethasone suppression test
- Serum cortisol levels
Tests to determine cause:
- Abdominal CT
- ACTH
- High-dose dexamethasone suppression test
Other findings may include:
- High cholesterol
- High fasting glucose
- Low bone density, seen by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
- Low serum potassium
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Review Date : 9/20/2008
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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