Buffalo Hump or Nothing?

Hormones
1

I recently completed a routine physical exam with blood work.  The test results came back elevated in a few different categories so the doctor had them re-ran later but in the morning.  These are the elevated results:

1st - 3 PM, fasting all day

CORTISOL LIPID PANEL –  25.6

HIGH SENSITIVITY CRP – 9.43

2nd - 10 AM, not fasting

Cortisol Lipid Panel – 27.3

HIGH SENSITIVITY CRP – 6.12

C-REACTIVE PROTEIN – 7.4  [wasn’t tested at first]

I am going to an endo in a month or so for follow up.  I've started to look at the symtoms of Cushing's and wonder if this looks like a buffalo hump or nothing to worry about?

THANKS!!

2

Hi,

It's hard to know what those levels are without the Normal range being provided.

For example... My cortisol levels are around 1200 with a normal range of (119-618)

C-Reactive protein is 35 with a normal range ( less than 12 ).

As for Buffalo humps, it's very hard to determine as everyone is different and has different sized humps. If you do have a hump its a very small one.

This is a typical buffalo hump but they can get even bigger than this

3

Hi,

I think you are very brave!  As Debs said everyone is different and I would agree that if it is a buffalo hump it is small.  Do you have any strae, like stretch marks?  I cant comment on the levels as it is something that at the time I didnt write down, I was just so releived to get a diagnosis.  Debs is brilliant and I am hoping that Gill will answer you as well.  Do you have any other symptoms?

4

The lab range was:

Cortisol Lipid Panel

2.3 - 19.4 ug/dL

Lab specifics for time of day:

Cortisol AM 6.2 - 19.4

Cortisol PM 2.3 - 11.9

If my afternoon cortisol level was a little more than double, would that be a huge red flag or more likely linked to being on Birth Control pills? Thanks again!

5

Thanks Vicky! I started looking into Cushing's and wonder if other issues I have are just a coincidence:

Round face [not a moon face though] and rosy due to rosacea

Self described “keg on toothpicks” as my legs and arms are thin. I have gained between 40 – 50 pounds over the last 7 years.

I have anxiety and panic attacks for no reason

Sleep problems – wide awake late or middle of the night but cannot get up in the mornings. When I do sleep through the night, I'm always tired.

Stray hair stubble on chin that has increased over the years

Bruise easily [fair skinned]

Months to heal from an insect bite/poison ivy/scrap. Have had staph/strep in skin infections multiple times in the last two years

Has anyone been through similar test results because of birth control? The doctor also mentioned that because my CRP is elevated, I may have an underlying inflammatory condition. I'm not exactly sure what this means or if it's related.

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight!!