Pseudo-Cushing's syndrome (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How to know you have pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?== | ==How to know you have pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?== | ||
:*Salivary cortisol level: Measurement of ate-night salivary cortisol concentrations can be used as a [[screening test]] in suspected pseudo-Cushing's syndrome. | |||
:*The 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC): In this test, a patient’s urine is collected several times over a 24-hour period and tested for [[cortisol]]. Patients with pseudo-Cushing's syndrome may show moderately increased in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) level. | |||
:*Blood level of [[cortisol]]: Patients with pseudo-Cushing's syndrome may show elevated levels of serum cortisol in the morning and evening and the morning level is not suppressed to less than 5 µg/dL by 1 mg [[dexamethasone]] administered at midnight. | |||
A midnight cortisol level of less than 7.5 µg/dL is an important difference between pseudo-Cushing and true [[Cushing's syndrome]]. | |||
:*[[Liver function]]: Elevation of serum [[transaminase]] levels suggest alcohol-induced hepatitis. | |||
:*Blood alcohol level: Because many patients of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome are caused by [[alcohol abuse]], blood alcohol level may be helpful. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== |
Revision as of 18:46, 28 December 2009
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What is pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?
How do I know if I have pseudo-Cushing's syndrome and what are the symptoms of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?
Signs of patients with pseudo-Cushing's syndrome are similar to Cushing's syndrome. They include the following characteristics.
- Truncal obesity, plethoric moon face, buffalo hump
- Supraclavicular fat pads
- Hirsutism and menstrual irregularities in women
- Thin skin with easy bruising and wide, purplish striae
- Hypertension
- Increased appetite, weight gain,
- Depression, or mood swings, anxiety
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
Who is at risk for pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?
- Alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal
- Severe stresses
- psychiatric conditions such as depression, panic disorders and psychotic conditions.
How to know you have pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?
- Salivary cortisol level: Measurement of ate-night salivary cortisol concentrations can be used as a screening test in suspected pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.
- The 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC): In this test, a patient’s urine is collected several times over a 24-hour period and tested for cortisol. Patients with pseudo-Cushing's syndrome may show moderately increased in the 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) level.
- Blood level of cortisol: Patients with pseudo-Cushing's syndrome may show elevated levels of serum cortisol in the morning and evening and the morning level is not suppressed to less than 5 µg/dL by 1 mg dexamethasone administered at midnight.
A midnight cortisol level of less than 7.5 µg/dL is an important difference between pseudo-Cushing and true Cushing's syndrome.
- Liver function: Elevation of serum transaminase levels suggest alcohol-induced hepatitis.
- Blood alcohol level: Because many patients of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome are caused by alcohol abuse, blood alcohol level may be helpful.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for pseudo-Cushing's syndrome?
Directions to Hospitals Treating pseudo-Cushing's syndrome
Prevention of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/124718-overview
http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/03/24/what-pseudo-cushings
http://www.pituitary.org/library/library_detail.aspx?page_id=1290