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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
The signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome vary.
Common signs and symptoms involve progressive obesity and skin changes, such as:
- Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face) and between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
- Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
- Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
- Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
- Acne
Women with Cushing's syndrome may experience:
- Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (hirsutism)
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
Men with Cushing's syndrome may experience:
- Decreased libido
- Decreased fertility
- Erectile dysfunction
Other signs and symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Depression, anxiety and irritability
- Loss of emotional control
- Cognitive difficulties
- New or worsened high blood pressure
- Glucose intolerance that may lead to diabetes
- Headache
- Bone loss, leading to fractures over time
When to see a doctor
If you're taking corticosteroid medications to treat a condition, such as asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, and experience signs and symptoms that may indicate Cushing's syndrome, see your doctor for an evaluation. Even if you're not using these drugs and you have symptoms that suggest the possible presence of Cushing's syndrome, contact your doctor.
- Cushing's syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.htm. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Cushing's syndrome information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cushings/cushings.htm?css=print. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Niemann LK. Clinical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2010.
- What is Cushing's syndrome? Cushing's Support and Research Foundation. http://csrf.net/page/the_basics.php. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Niemann LK. Establishing the cause of Cushing's syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2010.
- Niemann LK. Establishing the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2010.
- Niemann LK. Causes and pathopsychology of Cushing's syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2010.
- Niemann LK. Overview of the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 5, 2010.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Vitamin D. National Institutes of Health. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp. Accessed June 11, 2010.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 17, 2010.
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