230 lbs later...

Answer to Mystery Diagnosis #6:

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of cortisol.  Cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland and is a steroid hormone that helps the body react to physical and emotional stress, metabolize food, and regulate blood pressure. 

Many people can develop Cushing’s because of glucocorticoids, steroid hormones that are chemically similar to cortisol.  People take glucocorticoids to treat asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory diseases.  Other people develop Cushing’s because their body produces too much cortisol or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). 

Signs and Symptoms:

·         Weak muscles

·         Changes in the skin (such as skin that is oily and frail)

·         Changes in mood (such as irritability, anxiety, and depression)

·         Extra fat on back of neck and upper back (buffalo hump)

·         Backaches

·         Loss of muscle tone

·         Hair loss

·         Hair growth that is not normal (such as facial hair in women)

·         High blood pressure

·         High blood sugar levels

·         Obesity (weight gain located on abdomen)

·         Bone loss

·         Headache

Detection:

Cushing’s syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.  A cortisol test, which may be done on a blood or urine sample, is the easiest form to detect Cushing’s. 

Treatment:

Treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome depends on the cause. 

·         Reducing corticosteroid use

·         Surgery (to remove tumor)

·         Radiation therapy

·         Medications: Nizoral, Lysodren, and Metopirone

In Charlotte’s case she had a tumor in her pituitary gland that was causing overproduction of ACTH.  Charlotte saw an Endocrinologist that did blood tests and detected her tumor.  Her tumor was removed and Charlotte has returned to normal, losing about 40 lbs so far. 

Cushing’s syndrome is an extremely rare; an estimated at 13 cases per million individuals.  Cushing’s affects adults between the ages of 20 to 50. 

Works Cited: 

"Cushing's Syndrome-Topic Overview." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cushings-syndrome-topic-overview?page=2>.

"CUSHINGS SYNDROME -- WHAT IT IS AND SYMPTOMS - Topic." Forums. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5241904768/

m/50919420001>.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Cushing's Syndrome: Causes - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cushings-syndrome/DS00470/DSECTION=causes>.