Steroid Excess (Cushing's Syndrome)

Many symptoms/signs of steroid excess are nonspecific, e.g., obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance/diabetes, and menstrual irregularity. Thin skin, proximal weakness and broad (>1 cm) purple striae in adults and growth failure in children may be helpful clues. Screening tests for Cushing's include:

24hr urinary cortisol excretion or
Low dose overnight dexamethasone test (1 mg oral dexamethasone at midnight, then measure plasma cortisol at 0800 hours next morning (normal is <100 nmol/L).

All tests for Cushing's syndrome can give false positive and negative results, so if high index of suspicion, consult Endocrinologists.


Information about this CDHB document (9444):
Document Owner:	Blue Book Editorial Committee (see Who's Who)
Issue Date:	December 2013
Next Review:	December 2015
Keywords:
Note: Only the electronic version is controlled. Once printed, this is no longer a controlled document.
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Topic Code: 9444