Symptoms of Cushing's Disease

For children and teenagers with Cushing's disease, symptoms may include extreme weight gain, missed periods in girls, and high blood pressure. Symptoms in adults may include such things as excess hair growth, skin problems, and muscle weakness. Other symptoms seen in adults can include diabetes, sleep disturbances, and osteoporosis.

What Is Cushing's Disease?

Signs and Symptoms of Cushing's Disease

When an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor produces too much cortisol in the body, symptoms of Cushing's disease can result. These symptoms will vary among patients. The symptoms of Cushing's disease also vary based on the person's age.

Symptoms in Children and Teenagers

Children and teenagers with Cushing's disease can have the following symptoms:

Extreme weight gain, especially around the midsection and upper back
Reddish-blue streaks on the skin
Excess hair growth
Growth retardation
Missed periods in teenage girls
High blood pressure
Acne
Tiredness and weakness
Either very early or late puberty.

Symptoms in Adults

Adults with Cushing's disease may also have symptoms such as:

Extreme weight gain, especially around the midsection and upper back
High blood pressure
Skin problems
Excess hair growth.

Additional symptoms of Cushing's disease in adults may include:

Muscle weakness
Purplish-pink stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts
Moodiness, irritability, or depression
Sleep disturbances
Diabetes
Menstrual disorders in women
Osteoporosis
Decreased fertility in men
Diminished or absent desire for sex.

(Symptoms of Cushing's Disease Continued: Page 2)