What are signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?

Visible changes characteristic of Cushing’s syndrome

There are several distinctive outward signs that a person may have Cushing’s syndrome. These include¹:

• A round (moon-shaped) and/or red face
• Purplish streaks across the skin
• Unusual buildup of fatty tissue between the shoulder blades (sometimes called “buffalo hump”)
• Unusual buildup of fatty tissue in the abdominal area with thin arms and legs²
• Easy bruising
• Excess hair growth (called hirsutism) in women

These do not occur in all people with Cushing’s syndrome—there are many other signs and symptoms of this condition. Many of these symptoms can also be found in other common health problems. Because of this, many patients with Cushing’s syndrome may be inaccurately diagnosed at first.^2,3 Click here for more information. But as more signs and/or symptoms develop together, Cushing’s syndrome should be suspected.

Common signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome

The chart below shows the most common signs and symptoms seen with Cushing’s syndrome. It also gives the percentages of people with Cushing’s syndrome who have them.

Other signs and symptoms caused by Cushing’s syndrome include headaches, backaches, swelling, feeling very tired, feeling irritable, appetite changes, memory problems, sleeping problems, repeated infections, acne, hair loss, and wounds healing too slowly.^3-5

Cushing’s syndrome in children

Cushing’s syndrome is rare in children. However, there have been reports of it in children across all age groups. Pituitary or adrenal tumors are the most frequent non–medicine-related causes of childhood Cushing’s syndrome. Adrenal tumors tend to occur at a younger age (under age 5), while pituitary tumors tend to occur at an older age (around age 14).⁶

Telling signs that a child has Cushing’s syndrome is rounding of the face, as well as weight gain without a normal height increase. Another indication is the development of certain conditions that are unusual at a young age—including high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and/or fatigue. Children with Cushing’s syndrome can also develop other signs and symptoms that are seen in adults with this condition.^1,6

Cushing’s syndrome in animals

Animals can also develop Cushing’s syndrome. In dogs, cats, and horses, it can be caused by either a glucocorticoid medicine (such as prednisone) or by a tumor in the pituitary gland.^7-10 Cushing’s syndrome can also develop in dogs and cats due to a tumor in the adrenal gland.⁷

Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome that are common to dogs, cats, and horses are^7,8,10:

• A “pot belly”
• Drinking more than usual
• Urinating more than usual
• Muscle problems

In addition, dogs and cats with Cushing’s syndrome can have a thinning coat, while horses may not shed as usual.^7,8,10 Cats and horses with Cushing’s syndrome also frequently develop diabetes.^8,10

Treatment for dogs and cats with Cushing’s syndrome can be surgery or medicine, depending on the specific case.^7,8 Horses are treated with medicine.¹⁰ However, there are currently no approved medicines specifically for Cushing’s syndrome in animals.

Next, learn about complications caused by Cushing’s syndrome— and what may be done to help manage them.

References: 1. The Hormone Foundation’s patient guide to the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/resources/patient_guides/upload/mgmt-cushings-syndrome-070609.pdf. Accessed August 4, 2009. 2. Cushing’s Syndrome. National endocrine and metabolic diseases information service. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/cushings/cushings.htm. Accessed August 4, 2009. 3. Newell-Price J, Bertagna X, Grossman AB, Nieman LK. Cushing’s syndrome. Lancet. 2006;367:1605-1617. 4. Nieman LK, Ilias I. Evaluation and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. Am J Med. 2005;118:1340-1346.
5. Nieman LK, Biller BMK, Findling JW, et al. The diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:1526-1540. 6. Storr HL, Chan LF, Grossman AB, Savage MO. Paediatric Cushing’s syndrome: epidemiology, investigation and therapeutic advances. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2007;18:167-174. 7. Feldman EC. Canine Cushing’s syndrome. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary InternalMedicine. Elsevier Inc. 2005. 8. Chiaramonte D, Greco DS. Feline adrenal disorders. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 2007;22:26-31. 9. de Bruin C, Meij BP, Kooistra HS, Hanson JM, Lamberts SWJ, Hofland LJ. Cushing’s disease in dogs and humans. Horm Res. 2009;71:140-143.
10. McCue PM. Equine Cushing’s disease. Vet Clin Equine. 2002;18:533-543.