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Category Archives: Doctor’s Answers

Testing for Mild Cushing’s

Question: Is testing for Cushing’s more difficult and can some tests come back normal when you haven’t had Cushing’s very long? Answer: As with most conditions, if the diagnosis is obvious clinically, then biochemical confirmation is usually simple; if the diagnosis is not clear, then biochemical confirmation or exclusion of the diagnosis is often muchContinue Reading

Testing for Cushing’s While on Birth Control Pills

Question: I’m on birth control pills. Can testing for Cushing’s be done while I’m on the pill and if not, how long before testing do I need to stop taking them? Answer: Birth control pills will affect the testing done in the evaluation of Cushing’s syndrome. The estrogens in the birth control pills will increaseContinue Reading

Testing for Cushing’s During Pregnancy

Question: I am in the middle of testing for Cushing’s and just realized that I am 8 weeks pregnant! Are there risks associated with a high cortisol and the baby? Can Cushing’s be diagnosed during a pregnancy? Is it safe to take the dexamethasone suppression tests during pregnancy? Will the baby need any special attentionContinue Reading

Test Results for Cushing’s After a Steroid Injection

Question: When getting tested for Cushings, does a recent cortisone shot (two weeks prior to the initial test) affect the outcome? If so, how? Answer: Cortisone can affect steroid testing in several ways. First, cortisone may be detected in steroid assays, so, if administered within about 24 hours, the cortisone injection could result in anContinue Reading

Symptom Variability in Cushing’s

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,Continue Reading

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