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Diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome



The diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome can be difficult, especially endogenous Cushing's, since other conditions may have the same symptoms and signs. Your doctor may perform a physical exam to look for signs of the disease. If you have been using a corticosteroid medication for some time it may be suspected that this medication is responsible for the condition. Some tests for Cushing Syndrome can help locate the cause. They include:

• Blood and Urine Tests: These tests measure the level of hormones in the blood and urine and show if there is an excessive amount of cortisol being produced. The blood and urine samples taken will be analyzed in a laboratory for the level of cortisol present.
• Saliva Test: The levels of cortisol usually fluctuate throughout the day. By analyzing the levels of cortisol in a saliva sample collected at night, the doctors can check if the levels are too high.
• Imaging Tests: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans or Computerized tomography (CT) scans can give you images of the pituitary and adrenal glands to check for tumors.