Being correctly diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome is the first step toward regaining control of your health because an accurate diagnosis helps your doctor determine the best course of action. Cushing’s syndrome may be challenging to diagnose because of several factors:
Doctors don’t always think to look for Cushing’s syndrome because it is rare and causes symptoms that can make them think you have a different condition. Because these other conditions are more common, your doctor will probably rule them out before testing you for Cushing’s syndrome. These conditions include1,4,5:
- Pregnancy
- Depression or other psychiatric disorders
- Alcoholism
- Weight problems (obesity) caused by improper diet and/or exercise
- Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Examples of when to consider Cushing’s syndrome following a different diagnosis1-4,6
| Health concern | You might have Cushing’s syndrome if … |
|---|---|
| Type 2 (non–insulin-dependent) diabetes | Diabetes is not adequately controlled by standard treatment |
| Weight problems | Weight gain is unmanageable and is concentrated in the abdomen, with arms and legs remaining thin |
| Hair growth | There is an abnormal increase in facial/body hair growth in women (called “hirsutism”) |
| Facial changes | The face stays red and continues to get rounder |
| Osteoporosis | You develop this condition at a younger age |
Through general awareness of the signs, symptoms, and conditions associated with Cushing’s syndrome, more people may be diagnosed and treated earlier.
References: 1. Nieman LK, Ilias I. Evaluation and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. Am J Med. 2005;118:1340-1346. 2. Newell-Price J, Bertagna X, Grossman AB, Nieman LK. Cushing's syndrome. Lancet. 2006;367:1605-1617. 3. National Institutes of Health. Cushing’s syndrome. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2008. 4. Arnaldi G, Angeli A, Atkinson AB, et al. Diagnosis and complications of Cushing's syndrome: a consensus statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88:5593-5602. 5. Nieman LK, Biller BMK, Findling JW, et al. The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:1526-1540. 6. The Hormone Foundation’s patient guide to the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/resources/patient_guides/upload/mgmt-cushings-syndrome.... Accessed August 4, 2009.
From http://www.aboutcushings.com/diagnosing-cushings-disease/challenges.jsp
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