Symptoms:

• Abdomen that sticks out and thin arms and legs (central obesity)
• Acne or skin infections
• Backache
• Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
• Hair growth on the face
• Headache
• Impotence (men)
• Menstrual cycle stops (women)
• Mental changes
• Purple marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
• Round, red, and full face (moon face)
• Thin skin with easy bruising
• Weakness
• Weight gain (unintentional)

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Bone pain or tenderness
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Muscle atrophy
• Red spots on the skin
• Skin blushing or flushing

Signs and tests:

Blood sugar and white blood cell counts may be high. Potassium level may be low.

Laboratory tests are done to confirm high cortisol level. These include:

• Blood test to check cortisol level
• Dexamethasone suppression test
• Urine tests to check cortisol levels

Tests to determine the cause may include:

• Abdominal CT
• ACTH test
• Pituitary MRI