Ep 85: Hypercortisolism & Type 2 Diabetes: Why Diagnosis is Often Missed
Hypercortisolism often masks itself as stubborn diabetes symptoms. In this episode, a veteran tells his story of finally getting answers, plus the tests and treatments that help.
Hypercortisolism often masks itself as “just diabetes,” “just stress,” or “just getting older,” and that’s why it can turn into a serious problem. Unfortunately, it is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or missed entirely. In this conversation, Dr. Steve Edelman talks with a military veteran named Phil and his wife Cherese about years of unexplained fatigue, tough-to-control blood sugars, and high blood pressure, and the one test that made everything make sense. This episode discusses the early warning signs, how to advocate for answers and the hypercortisolism treatments that helped Phil feel like himself again. You’ll also hear why targeted hypercortisolism treatments and diabetes-specific approvals are on their way.
Important Resources: Cortisol in Control | Cortisol Matters
What was the medication therapy that was successful?
It’s called Korlym:
https://www.korlym.com/
Have T2D for few yrs Rx meds 3 yrs ago had kidney stones the CT noted a 3.6cm left adrenal mass advised to observe provably an Adamoma my, last CT showed no change have hypertension atrial fib sleep apnea stoke heart attack put on statin & Eliquis diuretic chf!! Still have multiple kidney stones so do I request cortisol test or go to endroquinologist? For the catalyst test? Adenoma can still secret cortisone??
With all those medical problems…we know that hypercortisolism can make those problems worse. The overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is easy, and any doctor can order it. I would suggest getting it.
RCC in 2003, radical nephrectomy. Years later diabetes type 2. Four years, I questioned the source or cause, simplistic answers the usual. I asked for an ultrasound of my liver as well as the kidney area, which I had started doing in lieu of going for frequency CT scans. My liver was fine however there was a mass on my pancreas and surprise some on my other kidney and an adrenal gland. Even with the ultrasound, the report was able to identify the mass as readable cell cancer that metastasized to the pancreas. Probably had been there for years and was the cause of my type diabetes has surgery to remove part of my pancreas and spleen are still had diabetes, recent concern About the growth of the adrenal gland and options were offered to spend a couple of years. I still haven’t decided, but it looked like wire ablation sounded like least invasive to me. Changed my mind last minute because of the risk of destroying my one and only adrenal gland, though I realize there is a risk in doing nothing as well. Anyway, thank you for this little clip. Glad I took time to watch it. It sounded like my own story being told.
Even if you did lose your adrenal gland, the hormones they release are easily replaced (such as cortisol and fludrocortisone). I would not be afraid of this, because even if it did happen, it’s an easy problem to deal with.
I have all normal lab bit extreme fatigue, sleepless nights anxiety. All normal labs, doctor not not knowing what to do. Is there treatment for hypercortisol? I’ve thought that was my problem for years now.
Absolutely there are treatments for hypercortisolism. But you can’t take something for it unless it’s proven that you have it. If you are concerned, ask for an overnight dexamethasone suppression test. It’s easy to do, and that way you can determine if your symptoms are due to that or not.