ings syndrome

[MyHappy]

Hi,
I 'believe' I have this debilitating syndrome(high ACTH) but did not know the right section so I will post it here. Some of the symptoms I have are:

• High BP(When consuming Magnesium, this stabilizes);

• Hyperpigmentation from the neck up to my face, in my joints(knuckles, knees, elbows), armpits, private areas but I am never in the sun and I have brown skin and I should note that these symptoms started before puberty;

• A relatively small hump(bone but I read in Cushings it is fat hump) below the neck which I always figured was me not walking straight;

• I do have weight gathered around my upper body but my arms and legs are relatively thin in terms of fat... I have small frame, I am a male, 22yrs of age, 210lbs and my height is 6feet.. so you can say I am a bit obese;

• I have no problem concerning libido;

• I also have stretch marks in my biceps, right below my shoulders, on the sides of my abdomen and their color is lighter than my skin much like a scar... I figured I had this stretch marks because I tried to put on some muscle unsuccessfully during my mid teens and never paid attention to it;

• I also started male pattern baldness early(17) and tend to have hairy chest;

• My gums right below my teeth seems to be a bit darker when compared to the section right below which is very ripe red;

• I have oily skin and sweaty palms; I also have acne in my chest, back, and face.

• Yes, the environment I was raised in was extremely stressful from the day I was born, literally!

I have yet to attain a blood test/see an endocrinologist but I want to hear my options first seeing as I have no health insurance. If someone can differentiate these symptoms as possible side-effects of Cushings Syndrome or a high level of ACTH/cortisol, I would appreciate it. Thanks

[MyHappy]

Hi Smilerdeb,

I am not certain about my Testosterone levels at current, but approximately 2 years ago, I had a blood test done(CHEM-Screen Panel + HDL, Hepatic Fuction PNL Clarification, CBC, Urinalysis) in which most normal except for my WBC, MCV, MCH, Plateley Count Count which were all out of range but not sure of the estrogen levels. Since these were out of norm, my dermatologist had a CBC done about two weeks ago in which everything was right on the mark(average). Thank you.

[Smilerdeb]

There could be many reasons you have these symptoms.
1.  One could be hormones, especially Testosterone - too little or too much.Not enough estrogen (yes men do have that too lol).

2.  It could be liver enzymes raised causing the dark pigmentation on your body.

3.  You could have Graves disease or Hashimoto  (Autoimmune diseases)

4.  You could have high cortisol levels due to stress. Cortisol is one of the hormones that controls the 'flight or fight' adrenalin responses in our bodies.

5.  You could be Diabetic.

I could go on and on with all these different disorders but seriously think you should wait to see your Endo.

Personally I think your condition is hormonal.
Of what kind, the Endo will know by doing tests.

All the best :)