What is Cushings Disease/Syndrome?
There are two terms used with Cushing’s: Disease and Syndrome. They signify the source of the illness, although the presentation is pretty much the same with both. Cushing’s Disease is hypercortisolism due to a pituitary source of stimulation. Cushing’s Syndrome is hypercortisolism due to an ectopic or adrenal source. There really is a third type of Cushing’s called iatrogenic Cushing’s which results from the overuse of corticosteriod medications. And actually another type called pseudo-Cushing’s. Cushing’s Disease/Syndrome (CD/CS) is an endocrine disorder caused by chronic exposure of the body’s tissues to excess levels of cortisol – a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal gland. Pituitary adenomas, usually benign, secrete increased amounts of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), a substance that controls the release of cortisol in that feedback loop I mentioned the other day. It typically causes an overproduction of cortisol. Tumors of the adrenal gland and ectopic ACTH producing
