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Disorders Associated with Diabetes
Cushing's Syndrome (also called "hypercortisolism")
The effects of cortisol in the body and Cushing's symptoms
comparison chart
The Effects of Cortisol in the Body
Too much cortisol can result in:
- weight gain in the face, chest and abdomen with weight
loss in the legs and arms
- muscle weakness
- thinning of the skin with increased bruising and poor
wound healing
- type 1 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- immune suppression with increased infections
- osteoporosis
- Cushing's syndrome
Too little cortisol results in:
- tiredness and lethargy
- nausea and vomiting
- low blood pressure, especially on standing when
faintness may occur
- low blood sugar
- in its extreme form, shock and coma may occur
- Addison’s disease, where darkening of the skin
pigmenation may accompany or precede the above changes.
Comparison of Symptoms Between
Cushing's Syndrome, Diabetes, and PCOS
|
Symptom
|
Cushing's
|
Diabetes
|
PCOS
|
| Weight gain, especially around midsection, often rapid weight gain |
Yes
|
Yes, Type 2
|
Yes
|
| Severe fatigue |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Muscle fatigue |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
| Facial flushing |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Rounding of face ("moon face") |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Fatty pad between shoulders on back ("buffalo hump") |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Thinning of arms and legs |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin of your abdomen, thighs, breasts
and arms
|
Yes
|
Yes, when there is weight gain
|
Yes, when there is weight gain
|
|
Thin and fragile skin that bruises easily
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
Possible
|
|
Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
|
Depression, anxiety and irritability
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Thicker or more visible body hair (hirsutism)
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
Yes
|
|
Acne
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
Yes
|
|
Irregular or stopped menstrual periods in females
|
Yes
|
Possible
|
Yes
|
| Multiple ovarian cysts |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Erectile dysfunction in males
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
N/A
|
|
High blood pressure
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| High cholesterol and/or triglycerdie levels |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Insulin Resistance |
Yes
|
Yes, type 2
|
Often
|
| Backaches, especially when bending or lifting |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Slow growth rate in children |
Yes
|
Yes, type 1
|
No
|
| Celiac disease may also be present |
No
|
Yes, type 1
|
No
|
| High levels of cortisol |
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| Elevated levels of estrogen or testosterone |
No
|
Possible, type 2 diabetes
|
Yes
|
| Female viralizaton |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
| Diabetes may also be present |
Type 1 diabetes can result when untreated
|
N/A
|
Yes, more often type 2 diabetes but also type 1
|
| Hypothyroid disorders may also be present |
Rare
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Bone Loss |
Yes
|
Occassionally
|
Occassionally
|
| Kidney stones |
Complication
|
No
|
No
|
| Damaged peripheral vision (in Cushing's disease) |
Complication
|
No
|
No
|
| Affects persons of all ages (child through adult) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No, onset rarely prior to puberty
|
| Affects both men and women |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
| May have some hereditary association (others in family may have disorder, or associated disorder) |
Rarely
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Chart Notes: The above symptoms are not intended as a diagnostic tool. Only your doctor can diagnose a disorder, syndrome or disease. The above list is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Support for Persons with Cushing's Syndrome
Cushings Help - This site provides information and international support for persons with Cushings, and their family and loved ones. Hosts message boards, chart rooms, pen pals, phone support network, and advocacy. Founded by a woman with Cushing's Syndrome, the site also lists Cushing support meetings throughout the country.
Cushing's Help
13222 Point Pleasant Dr.
Fairfax, VA 22033-3515
Phone: 1-877-825-0128
FAX: 703-378-8517
E-mail:
CushingsSupport@aol.com
Pituitary Tumors Guest Book
- Provided through Massachusetts General Hospital, this "bulletin
board" style guest book is for patients, family and friends. The three different
sections on this site focus on acromegaly, pituitary tumors, and Cushing's
Disease.
Cushing's Support and Research Foundation, Inc., International - Provides information and support to patients
with Cushing's. Newsletter and networking, so patients can contact others with
Cushing's.
Cushing's Support and Research Fdn.
65 East India Row
22B
Boston, MA 02110
E-Mail: cushinfo@csrf.net
International Patient Organizations
Netzwerk Hypophysen- und Nebennierenerkrankungen
e.V.
German Pitiutary and Adrenal Network
All pituitary and
adrenal diseases
Waldstraße 34
91054 Erlangen, Germany
Contact: netzwerk@glandula-online.de
Internet:
www.glandula-online.de
Tel: +49
(0) 9131-815046
Fax: +49 (0) 9131-815047
Australian Pituitary Foundation Ltd (APF)
All pituitary
diseases
PO Box 4792
North Rocks, NSW, Australia, 2151
Website: www.pituitary.asn.au
Contact: pituitary@bigpond.com
The Pituitary Foundation (PITPAT)
Cushing's, Acromegaly,
Prolactinoma, Diabetes insipidus, Craniopharyngiomas, Kallmann's Syndrome,
Hypogonadism, Hypopituitarism, Adult Growth Hormone Replacement
P.O. Box
1944
Bristol
BS99 2UB, UK
Website: www.pituitary.org.uk
Contact: helpline@pituitary.org.uk
Support group Brazil
Cushing syndrome
116 Cristiano
Viana ST/ Suite 102
Jardim América
São Paulo - SP 05411-000
BRAZIL
Website: not availible
Contact: Mrs. Lillan Yumi Hamada Dazio, lyhd@terra.com.br
Cushing group Honduras
Active for: Cushing diseases for a
microadenoma in the pituitary gland
Mrs. Diana Valladares
Lomas de
Jacaleapa Bloque o Casa #3 Tegucigalpa,
Honduras Centro America
Website:
n/a
Tel. no. : 504-230-40-72
Faxno. : n/a
Contact: Mario Cerrato, mcerrato@proyectopaar.org, or mario@alooo.com
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