This portion of the website is intended for Healthcare Professionals.

  • Home
  • Screening & Diagnosis

Who should be screened for hypercortisolism?

It can be difficult to assess which patients should be screened for hypercortisolism due to the constellation of possible signs and symptoms.1,2

outline of three people

Screening recommendations and considerations

patient images

Clinical spectrum of hypercortisolism

Patients in the above photos were diagnosed with hypercortisolism/Cushing syndrome. Photos used with permission.
Because Cushing syndrome tends to progress over time, accumulation of new features increases the probability that hypercortisolism is present.1

Recommended1,3

  • Patients with multiple signs and symptoms consistent with classically described overt Cushing syndrome
  • All patients with adrenal adenomas
  • Patients with pituitary adenomas in the presence of other features suggesting hypercortisolism

Suggested1,3

  • Patients with diabetes <50 years of age (poorly controlled)
  • Patients with hypertension <50 years of age (poorly controlled)
  • Patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) vs matched controls, BMD that rapidly declines, or fragility fractures

Patient Story

headshot of nicole

“I tried taking blood pressure medication. I tried going off birth control. I even tried taking phentermine to counteract the weight gain. Nothing helped ...”

Read Nicole’s Story

Evaluate adrenal adenomas

It is important to evaluate adrenal adenomas for secretory function. Of adults who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 4% to 7% were found to have an incidental adrenal adenoma. It was estimated that 5% to 30% of the adrenal adenomas found were of the autonomous cortisol-secreting type.3-5

“Patients with an adrenal incidentaloma should undergo evaluation clinically, biochemically, and radiographically for signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism.”

—AACE/AAES Guidelines6

Related Reading

Clinical approach to evaluating incidentally discovered adrenal adenomas

Anand Vaidya, Amir Hamrahian, Irina Bancos, et al.

Read Article Summary >
A portion of screened adrenal adenomas are found to be cortisol secreting An estimated 5%-30% of screened adrenal adenomas were found to be cortisol-secreting

Diagnosing hypercortisolism

Step 1

Consider the index of suspicion6,7

  • Rule out exogenous hypercortisolism
  • Adrenal adenomas: Rule out malignancy, aldosteronoma (if hypertensive), and pheochromocytoma

Step 2

Identify hypercortisolism8

Perform one of the
following tests

  • 1-mg DST
  • LNSC (≥2 tests)
  • UFC (≥2 tests)

Look for a cause if

  • 2 tests from the list are positive
  • Physiologic causes of hypercortisolism have been excluded

Learn more about cortisol testing

Step 3

Determine the
cause7,9-11

Determine ACTH-dependent vs ACTH-independent cause

  • A low ACTH level suggests ACTH-independent source
  • Inappropriately normal or high levels suggest an ACTH-dependent source

The following additional tests may further support the diagnosis of hypercortisolism and/or help in identifying the source of excess cortisol:

Suspected ACTH-independent source

  • DHEA-S
  • Adrenal CT

Suspected ACTH-dependent source

  • IPSS
  • CRH stimulation test
  • Pituitary MRI
ACTH=adrenocorticotropic hormone; CRH=corticotropin-releasing hormone; CT=computed tomography; DHEA-S=dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate; DST=overnight dexamethasone suppression test; IPSS=inferior petrosal sinus sampling; LNSC=late night salivary cortisol; MRI=magnetic resonance imaging; UFC=urinary free cortisol.

General approach to adrenal adenoma6,10

Arrow to expand content

What to rule out
  • Malignancy
  • Aldosteronoma (if hypertensive)
  • Pheochromocytoma
Arrow to expand content

Testing for autonomous cortisol secretion
  • The 1-mg overnight DST: >1.8 µg/dL (50 nmol/L)*
  • LNSC: May be elevated
  • 2-day DST: Use with certain populations (psychiatric, morbid obesity, alcoholism, diabetes, kidney failure)
  • UFC: Low sensitivity
Arrow to expand content

Additional testing for a well-rounded clinical picture

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone: May be subnormal
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate: May be subnormal
  • Concurrent metabolic and cardiorenal derangements: Raises level of suspicion
*>1.8 µg/dL (50 nmol/L) is considered abnormal. Adrenal computed tomography is performed, and a more detailed analysis is needed to differentiate among the subtypes of adrenal Cushing syndrome.

Keep up-to-date with the latest information

question mark icon

Testing
doximity logo
doximity logo
What Is Hypercortisolism?
Screening & Diagnosis
Management & Treatment
Resources
For Patients
Cortisol Matters logo
The information provided on this website is not a substitute for medical advice and is intended for educational purposes only. Talk to a doctor if you have concerns about your health. This website is funded and maintained by Corcept Therapeutics.
Corcept Therapeutics logo
CortisolMatters™ is a trademark of Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated. © 2024 Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. DSE-00584 MAR 2024