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What Causes Change In Facial Appearance When Suffering From Cushings Disease?
Posted on
Fri, 30 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 30 Jan 2015
Answered on
Sat, 28 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello Doctor
I had surgery about 8 weeks ago for cushings disease. Had a tumor removed from my pituitary gland. My problem is the appearance of my face seems to change. My facial cheeks would look big on some days and normal on others. Sometimes i can actually feel the weight of my facial cheeks. Do you know what can cause this? I also have the results from lab work done a couple weeks ago
I had surgery about 8 weeks ago for cushings disease. Had a tumor removed from my pituitary gland. My problem is the appearance of my face seems to change. My facial cheeks would look big on some days and normal on others. Sometimes i can actually feel the weight of my facial cheeks. Do you know what can cause this? I also have the results from lab work done a couple weeks ago
Brief Answer:
Cushings
Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached laboratory results.
They look fine. The testosterone result however is pending.
The face along with the entire body undergoes many changes in contour, in a person affected by Cushings disease.
After surgery, many of thee improve and tend to get back towards normal.
This of course is dependent on the degree of remission (cure) achieved.
I see your cortisol is in the range of 17 which appears normal.
I suggest checking with your endocrinologist to see if any 'dynamic' tests like Overnight Dexamethasone suppression tests, or midnight salivary cortisol test need to be performed to assess current status of cortisol in your body.
The reason is that, in order to assess whether or not the surgery has achieved good results, one needs to perform one or more of the types of tests I have mentioned above, and not morning cortisol alone. (I have noted that you had this lab drawn at 8.30 am )
Cushings
Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached laboratory results.
They look fine. The testosterone result however is pending.
The face along with the entire body undergoes many changes in contour, in a person affected by Cushings disease.
After surgery, many of thee improve and tend to get back towards normal.
This of course is dependent on the degree of remission (cure) achieved.
I see your cortisol is in the range of 17 which appears normal.
I suggest checking with your endocrinologist to see if any 'dynamic' tests like Overnight Dexamethasone suppression tests, or midnight salivary cortisol test need to be performed to assess current status of cortisol in your body.
The reason is that, in order to assess whether or not the surgery has achieved good results, one needs to perform one or more of the types of tests I have mentioned above, and not morning cortisol alone. (I have noted that you had this lab drawn at 8.30 am )
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the reply.
I have also been having trouble digesting food. Once i eat a meal i notice my stomach distending in other words appearing larger. I thought it would of improved after i had surgery but unfortunattely it has not. Do you think i should see a gastrologist?
I have also been having trouble digesting food. Once i eat a meal i notice my stomach distending in other words appearing larger. I thought it would of improved after i had surgery but unfortunattely it has not. Do you think i should see a gastrologist?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Yes it would be worthwhile consulting a gastroenterologist
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Yes it would be worthwhile consulting a gastroenterologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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