Cushings may be caused by
A increased ACTH levels.
B both.
C increased cortisol levels.
D neither.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: B. both
Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder that results from prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. This condition can be caused by various factors, and two major contributors are increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and increased cortisol itself. Therefore, both choices A and C are correct.
One primary cause of Cushing’s syndrome is a condition called Cushing’s disease, which occurs when a pituitary adenoma (a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland) produces too much ACTH. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. When ACTH levels are abnormally high, they cause the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol, leading to the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome.
Alternatively, Cushing’s syndrome can also result directly from excessive cortisol in the body, which may occur due to adrenal tumors (which produce cortisol independently of ACTH) or from long-term use of corticosteroid medications like prednisone. These medications are often prescribed to treat inflammatory diseases, but in high doses over time, they can lead to the same effects as naturally high cortisol levels.
Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include weight gain, particularly in the face and abdomen, purple stretch marks on the skin, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, mood changes, and irregular menstrual cycles. Diagnosis often involves blood and urine tests to measure cortisol levels, as well as imaging studies to identify tumors in the pituitary or adrenal glands.
In summary, Cushing’s syndrome may be caused by either increased ACTH levels or increased cortisol levels. Both lead to excessive cortisol in the body, which causes the characteristic signs and symptoms of this disorder. That is why the correct answer is B, both.