Living with Cushing syndrome
A hormone condition caused by long-term high levels of cortisol, leading to weight gain, weakness, and high blood pressure.
Understanding Cushing syndrome
Signs include weight gain in the upper body, fatigue, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, backache, high blood sugar, easy bruising, and bluish-red stretch marks. Women may have irregular periods and extra body and facial hair. Causes include long-term use of corticosteroid medicines, pituitary tumors, or adrenal adenomas.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary mentions these:
- Weight gain in the upper body
- Tiredness and muscle weakness
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Easy bruising and bluish-red stretch marks
- Irregular periods and extra hair in women
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
National Adrenal Diseases Foundation, Cushing's Support and Research Foundation and Pituitary Network Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Expert lists: National Adrenal Diseases Foundation, Cushing's Support and Research Foundation, Pituitary Network Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It can be caused by long-term use of corticosteroid medicines, tumors in the pituitary gland, or adrenal adenomas.
Also known as: adrenal hyperfunction resulting from pituitary acth excess; cortisol excess; cushing's syndrome; ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome; hyperadrenocorticism; nodular primary adrenocortical dysplasia
Patient organizations
- National Adrenal Diseases FoundationCushing syndrome · United States
- Cushing's Support and Research FoundationCushing syndrome · United States
- Pituitary Network AssociationCushing syndrome · United States
- The MAGIC FoundationCushing syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Cushing syndrome.
Explore research for Cushing syndrome
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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