Pseudo-Cushing's syndrome (patient information)
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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?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
- Severe hypertension
Treatment options
Treatments of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome depend on the cause. There is nspecific medications for this disorder.
- Anticipate and prevent alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
- Treat psychiatric conditions, relieve stresses.
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
- Avoidance of alcohol abuse.
- Avoidance too much pressure. If needed, go to see your psychologist.
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome varies, depending on the cause and the person. With abstinence from alcohol, all biochemical abnormalities return to reference ranges. But patients with chronic alcoholism often relapse.
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