Hypercortisolism

oh no!  I missed another TWO DAYS in the challenge!!  I hope I get a pass though, the past two days I was in a major 'low' and felt horrible!!  The type of Cushings that I have is cyclic/episodic....I'm really not sure which officially ;)  Cyclic Cushings is periods of high and low cortisol that shows a pattern....epsodic Cushings is periods of high and low cortiols with no pattern (more random and unpredictable).  I have never asked Dr Friedman specifically which of the two I fall under, it doesn't really matter.  I am beginning to believe I am more episodic as when I track my symtpoms and test results I cannot find a pattern.  But it could be that the patterns are long duration and I don't test long enough to reveal them.  Or it could be that i cycle often throughout the day and would have to test daily throughout the day to reveal them.  see why I say, it doesn't matter ;)  Nonetheless, cycling between high and low cortisol is very hard on the body, the difference resulting in a 'crash' which leaves me feeling completely beaten down for the time. 

 

So I thought it might be good to share the symptoms of high and low cortisol

 

Hypercortisolism (high)

·   Extreme weight gain

·   Upper body obesity

·   Rounded face

·   Increased neck fat

·   Deepening voice

·   Balding

·   Hirsutism

o    Increased facial hair

o    Increased body hair limbs

·   High blood pressure

·   Sleep disturbances

·   High blood sugar

·   Diabetes-like symptoms

·   Hyperadrenocorticism

·   Bruising easily

·   Red face

·   Slow-healing skin

·   Weakened connective tissue

·   Osteoporosis

·   Hyperglycemia

·   Severe weakness

·   Psychiatric disturbances

·   Skin problems

·   Thin Fragile skin

·   Poor healing

·   Abdominal stretch marks

·   Mood changes

• Irritability
• Depression
• Moodiness
• Fatigue
• Mental disturbances

· Weak muscles

· Backaches

· Sexual and fertility problems

·         Irregular menstrual period

·         Absent menstrual periods

·         Reduced libido

·         Reduced male fertility

Hypocortisolism (low)

            Fatigue

·          Weakness

·          Nausea

·          Vomiting

·          Weight loss

·          Abdominal pain

·          Hypotension

·          Hypoglycemia