Cushing syndrome - exogenous Health Article

Definition

Exogenous Cushing syndrome is a form of Cushing syndrome that occurs in people taking glucocorticoid (also called corticosteroid) hormones, such as prednisone.

Alternative Names

Cushing syndrome - corticosteroid induced; Corticosteroid-induced Cushing syndrome; Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome; Exogenous Cushing syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Exogenous means caused by something outside the body. Exogenous Cushing syndrome occurs when a person takes man-made (synthetic) glucocorticoids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for treatment purposes (for example, to treat asthma).

In Cushing syndrome, the adrenal glands produce too much of certain hormones, such as cortisol.

For other causes and more information about Cushing syndrome see:

• Cushing syndrome
• Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
• Ectopic Cushing syndrome

Symptoms

• Abdomen that sticks out and thin arms and legs (central obesity)
• Acne
• Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
• Depression
• Euphoria, not related to life situation
• Excessive facial hair growth in females
• Frequent and easy bruising
• Headache
• Impotence
• Purple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
• Round, red, and full face (moon face)
• Stopping of menstruation
• Weakness
• Weight gain

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Increased urination
• Thirst

Signs and tests

In people who use cortisone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids, the following test results may suggest exogenous Cushing syndrome:

• Low ACTH level
• Low cortisol level
• No response to a cosyntropin stimulation test
• Higher-than-normal fasting glucose
• Low serum potassium
• Low bone density, as measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
• High cholesterol, particularly high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

A method called high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can show high levels of the suspected medication in the urine.