Blood changes
Serious changes in the blood count are rather rare in Cushing’s syndrome. Rather, changes in laboratory values at the beginning of a glucocorticoid therapy can be observed. Since it is usually initiated due to an excessive immune reaction of the body with inflammatory symptoms, a significant reduction of the inflammatory parameters can be observed. In individual cases and depending on the disease, a reduction of specific immune cells can be observed.
High blood pressure
It is quite possible that high blood pressure develops under therapy with cortisone. This is due to the effect of glucocorticoids on the kidney. They lead to an increased reabsorption of water and sodium in the organ.
As a result, less volume is excreted. It remains in the vascular system, where it leads to increased pressure on the vessel walls. This phenomenon can be objectively measured in elevated blood pressure values. However, the extent to which high blood pressure is manifested depends on the individual case. Which could also be of interest to you: Symptoms of high blood pressure
What is the Cushing’s threshold for the symptoms?
Long-term therapy with glucocorticoids should be below a dose of 0.1 mg per kilogram body weight in adults to avoid serious side effects such as the development of Cushing’s syndrome. Experts therefore refer to this dosage as the so-called “Cushing’s threshold“. If the administered dose is below this threshold, however, isolated side effects are still to be expected. However, a syndrome then only develops with very low probability. You can find more information on this topic at What is the Cushing’s threshold?
Masculinization
A masculinization is rather rarely observed in Cushing’s syndrome. Affected persons mainly complain about a loss of the typical female curves and the development of male body hair. The increase in male body hair can be explained by an imbalance in steroid production.
Steroid hormones are mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and sex hormones. All are produced from the same basic substance – cholesterol. If a final product of the synthesis chain such as glucocorticoids is supplied to the body in the form of medication, the synthesis rate of the other steroid hormones, such as the sex hormones, can be increased if necessary by the body’s own efforts. An excess of male hormones then manifests itself in masculinization.
Growth disorder in children
Growth disorders in children can occur during long-term therapy with high-dose glucocorticoids. The growth is mainly due to the altered bone metabolism. Children’s bones grow very quickly and require a lot of substrate in the form of minerals.
However, glucocorticoids can cause increased calcium excretion via the kidneys. This loss is compensated by the mobilisation of the body’s own calcium from the bones. The bone structure therefore loses its balance of cells and ingredients. One consequence of this can be delayed growth or even the development of bone deformities.
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