Diagnosis for Cushing Syndrome!

Hey peeps! So sorry for the very long wait! We actually lost our souvenir that was prepared for this post. Hence, we have to make another trip down to Adrenal-Land! Really really very sorry for that! Hope you guys will forgive our carelessness! :)

Okie! So back to the topic, this souvenir that we lost was all about the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome! From what we know, Cushing Syndrome does not have a single definitive test! So how do we know if one contracted this disease?

In order to diagnose this Syndrome, one will have to go through a physical examination and a review of both the patient's medical history and the symptoms that he/she are experiencing. Adding on, laboratory tests can also help with the diagnosis.

These tests includes:

1. 24-hour urinary free cortisol test
2. midnight plasma cortisol and late-night salivary cortisol measurements
3. low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) (blood test)

How LDDST work?

If patient's cortisol levels still remain high after taking a short course of Dexamethasone, it will mean that the patient body is producing too much cortisol. 

So after diagnosing the patient with Cushing Syndrome, does the patient undergo treatment immediately? 

Patient still need to undergo tests like:

1. corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test
2. high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST)  (blood test)
3, imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scan  and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

These tests are essential to determine if he/she contract Cushing due to:

1. Use of corticosteroid medication for a long period of time

2.  Pituitary gland tumor
3. Familial Cushing syndrome
4. Adrenal Gland abnormality or tumor

***Familial Cushing Syndrome:  An inherited tendency to develop tumors of the endocrine glands!

So! I guess that's all about the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome! Treatment for this disease will be up very very SOON! :) SO PLEASE PLEASE STAY TUNE! :) 

Credits:

http://www.healthline.com/health/cushing-syndrome#Diagnosis4

http://www.healthline.com/health/cushing-syndrome#Causes3

http://www.imperialendo.com/for-doctors/dynamic-function-testing/low-dose-dexamethasone-suppression-test

http://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/shocked.html