Suggest Treatment For Cushing Syndrome Symptoms

Posted on Thu, 24 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I think I might have Cushings Syndrome. At age 18, I had an allergic reaction which put me in the hospital on high dose of Benadryl and cortisone. Going back to college, I lived at the health center and was injected three times a day with adrenaline. I was told that my adrenal gland had "shut down" due to my reaction to the original medication which was a 1968 antibiotic which contained a synthetic penicillin. Now I am being diagnosed with diabetes and lipid heart problems. Neither run in my family history. Could I be right?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely

Detailed Answer:
From studying your history and comments, Cushing's syndrome is unlikely. However to be certain it would be best to see an Endocrinologist in person who would ave the opportunity to examine you.
One can still get diabetes and lipid/ heart problems without a family history.

Yes indeed Cushings can lead to these too, but it is a fairly uncommon condition.

I do not see your medication list attached but are you on 'corticosteroid' type of medications long term?

This is because taking medications called 'glucocorticoids' for long time can lead to Cushings syndrome.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC
Electrolytes
Calcium
HbA1c
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
TSH
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar