Question: Do you have to have all the symptoms of Cushing’s to have it?

Answer: Cushing’s syndrome is associated with a whole host of symptoms. In it’s more severe and advanced forms, people describe many signs and symptoms including a significant increase in fat in the neck and abdomen, easy bruising, severe fatigue, diabetes, hypertension, and, in women, loss of menstrual cycles. Patients with early or mild Cushing’s syndrome may have only a few of these symptoms. The diagnosis is based both on clinical history and examination, and biochemical hormone testing for confirmation. Therefore, it is certainly possible for patients to have Cushing’s syndrome, but only a few complaints.

By Dr. Laurence Katznelson MD (Spring 2007)