Cushing's Syndrome
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder. The cause is long-term exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes. Sometimes, taking synthetic hormone medicine to treat an inflammatory disease leads to Cushing's. Some kinds of tumors produce a hormone that can cause your body to make too much cortisol.
Cushing's syndrome is rare. Some symptoms are:
- Upper body obesity
- Thin arms and legs
- Severe fatigue and muscle weakness
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Easy bruising
Lab tests can show if you have it and find the cause. Your treatment will depend on why you have too much cortisol. If it is because you have been taking synthetic hormones, a lower dose may control your symptoms. If the cause is a tumor, surgery and other therapies may be needed.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) · National Library of Medicine
- Cortisol Test · National Library of Medicine
- How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Cushing's Syndrome? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Is There a Cure for Cushing's Syndrome? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- What Are the Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- What Are the Treatments for Cushing's Syndrome? · Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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