Health condition
Cushing’s syndrome patient guide
Cushing’s syndrome is prolonged exposure to excess cortisol - most often from steroid medication, rarely from a tumour - producing a distinctive and treatable pattern of changes.
Key points
What matters most, at a glance.
The essentials in plain English - symptoms, when to seek help, who to see and what treatment looks like.
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Signs: rounded face, central weight gain with slim limbs, purple stretch marks, easy bruising, muscle weakness
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The most common cause is long-term steroid medication; rarer causes are pituitary or adrenal tumours
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Also drives high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and mood change
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Diagnosed with overnight dexamethasone suppression, late-night salivary cortisol or 24-hour urine tests
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Managed by an endocrinologist; tumour-related cases are usually curable with surgery
Understanding it
About Cushing’s syndrome patient guide, and what to do next.
Cortisol excess reshapes the body in a characteristic way: fat accumulates in the face, neck and abdomen while arms and legs stay thin and weak; skin thins, bruises and develops wide purple stretch marks; blood pressure and glucose climb; sleep and mood deteriorate. When someone is taking steroid tablets long-term, the cause is obvious. Without steroids, the source is usually a small pituitary tumour (Cushing’s disease) or an adrenal tumour.
Confirming true cortisol excess requires specific tests done in the right way, followed by scans to locate the source. Pituitary or adrenal surgery cures the majority of tumour-related cases, and medication-related Cushing’s is managed by carefully tapering the steroid. Most people start with their GP, who can refer to an endocrinologist. NHS routine referrals often take 20-45+ weeks depending on where you live, while a private consultation is typically available within about two weeks.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Cushing’s syndrome patient guide.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is Cushing's syndrome?
Cushing's syndrome is prolonged exposure to excess cortisol - most often from steroid medication, and rarely from a tumour of the pituitary or adrenal gland - causing a characteristic pattern of physical changes and health risks.
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What causes Cushing's syndrome?
The most common cause by far is long-term steroid medication prescribed for another condition. Less commonly, a tumour of the pituitary or adrenal gland causes the body to produce excess cortisol on its own.
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What are the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?
Common features include weight gain around the face and abdomen, thinned skin that bruises easily, purple stretch marks, muscle weakness, and high blood pressure, usually developing gradually over months.
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Is Cushing's syndrome dangerous?
Yes, if left untreated it increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and infections, so it's important to have it properly diagnosed and managed rather than simply accepting the symptoms.
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How is Cushing's syndrome diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically uses specific tests such as 24-hour urine cortisol, late-night salivary cortisol, or a dexamethasone suppression test, since a single random cortisol blood test isn't reliable given natural daily fluctuations.
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How is Cushing's syndrome treated?
Treatment depends on the cause: gradually reducing steroid medication where medically possible, or surgery to remove a pituitary or adrenal tumour if that's identified as the cause. Medication can help control cortisol levels in some situations.
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Can Cushing's syndrome be cured?
When caused by a tumour, surgical removal can be curative for many patients. When caused by steroid medication, symptoms typically improve as the dose is safely reduced, though this needs to be done gradually and under medical supervision.
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How long does recovery take?
This varies by cause: surgical patients often see gradual improvement over weeks to months, while steroid-related cases improve as the dose comes down, with the overall timeline depending on how quickly this can safely happen.
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Cushing's syndrome vs simple weight gain - how can you tell the difference?
Cushing's syndrome causes a specific pattern of features beyond weight gain alone - including easy bruising, muscle weakness, and stretch marks - so isolated weight gain without these additional features is unlikely to be Cushing's syndrome.
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When should I see a specialist about possible Cushing's syndrome?
See an endocrinologist if you notice the characteristic combination of symptoms, particularly alongside long-term steroid use or unexplained physical changes. A private endocrinology consultation is often available within about two weeks.