Cushing's Info

A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones.

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, which in turn regulate many body processes. These hormones include:

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
• Growth hormone (GH)
• Prolactin
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Robin writes at http://survivethejourney.blogspot.com/2009/07/patients-first-twitter-transcript.html

From the first tweet by Dr. Val...

Medbloggers and congressman discuss healthcare reform at the National Press Club today 9am-12pm ET. Follow #patientsfirst for live coverage.

....to the multitude of tweets from participants and the audience, it was an intense and vibrant conversation. The tweets of those on Twitter were in the background as those on the panel gave their responses.

I missed it. I was working and couldn't watch. But I wanted to read the thread as it happened, in the order it happened. So I compiled it and here it is for those of you who missed it or want to read what others had to say.

To those who participated and/or tweeted, I want to say a great big "THANK YOU!!"

Dear Family and Friends...

Kate on the Cushing’s support board (Cushing’s Help and Support) wrote this letter after having pituitary surgery…

Dear friends and family:

I am writing this letter to share with you some basic facts about Cushing’s Disease/Syndrome and the recovery process so that you will have sufficient information to form realistic expectations about me and my ability to engage in certain activities in light of this disease and its aftermath.

As you know, Cushing’s is a rarely diagnosed endocrine disorder characterized by hypercortisolism. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is vital to regulate the body’s cardivoascular functions and metabolism, to boost the immune system and to fight inflammation. But its most important job is to help the body to respond to stress.

The adrenal glands release cortisol in response to stress, so atheletes, women experiencing pregnancy, and those suffering from alcoholism, panic disorders and malnutrition naturally have higher-than-normal levels of cortisol.

People with Cushing’s Syndrome live life with too much cortisol for their bodies as a result of a hormone-secreting tumor. Mine is located in the pituitary gland. Endogenous hypercortisolism leaves the body in a constant state of “fight or flight,” which ravages the body and tears down the body’s major systems including cardivascular, musculo-skeletal, endocrine, etc.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
255, 255.0

255 -
Disorders of Adrenal Glands

255.0 -
Disorders of Adrenal Glands, Cushings Syndrome; Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to Excess ACTH Cushings Syndrome NOS, Iatrogenic, Idiopathic, Pituitary-Dependent, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Iatrogenic Syndrome of Excess Cortisol, Overproduction of Cortisol

Definition

Cushing's syndrome is a condition caused by excess corticosteroids in an individual's body. These steroids can be produced by the body itself or can result from high doses of medical steroids being administered to the individual. Cushing's syndrome is characterized by a large, round face and a thick torso with comparatively thin arms and legs. Muscle weakness, depression, hallucinations, thin skin that bruises easily and heals slowly, and purple streaks on the abdomen are also common signs and symptoms of this condition.

The adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys produce cortisol. Under normal conditions, the release of cortisol is controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in the brain. The hypothalamus sends a hormone (corticotropin-releasing hormone or CRH) to the pituitary gland. CRH causes the pituitary gland to secrete a hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH is the signal for the adrenal gland to produce cortisol.

A common cause of Cushing's syndrome is the administration of glucocorticoid drugs (such as prednisone) or ACTH for various medical reasons. This is called exogenous Cushing's syndrome. Individuals with any disease requiring prolonged use of corticosteroid medications are at increased risk of developing Cushing's syndrome. Examples of some medical conditions that are often treated with glucocorticoids or ACTH and may increase one's risk of developing Cushing's syndrome include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, or other chronic inflammatory diseases.

When a tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of ACTH, there is a subsequent release of excess cortisol by the adrenal glands. This condition is called Cushing's disease (hypercortisolism), and it accounts for about 70% of the naturally occurring (endogenous) cases of Cushing's syndrome. Another 15% of the naturally occurring cases of Cushing's syndrome are caused by release of cortisol from noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) tumors of the adrenal gland (adrenal adenoma and adrenal carcinoma). The remaining 15% of cases are caused by the production of ACTH by a tumor (either benign or malignant) located elsewhere in the body (ectopic ACTH syndrome) (Adler).