Which substance is elevated in Cushing's syndrome?

Which substance is elevated in Cushing's syndrome?

• A. Calcium
• B. Cortisol
• C. Epinephrine
• D. Norepinephrine

Answer: (B)

Cushing's syndrome is a state of excess cortisol. When cortisol levels are chronically elevated, this adrenal hormone becomes the defining abnormal lab finding, often seen in the blood or urine regardless of the underlying cause (pituitary ACTH overproduction, adrenal tumor, or ectopic ACTH). The excess cortisol produces the typical features—hyperglycemia from gluconeogenesis, protein breakdown, fat redistribution, hypertension, and immune suppression. The other substances listed are not the hallmark elevations in this condition: calcium can be affected by bone loss but is not diagnostic of Cushing's, and epinephrine and norepinephrine are catecholamines linked to conditions like pheochromocytoma or acute stress, not the primary issue in Cushing's. So the elevated substance is cortisol.

Cushing's syndrome is a state of excess cortisol. When cortisol levels are chronically elevated, this adrenal hormone becomes the defining abnormal lab finding, often seen in the blood or urine regardless of the underlying cause (pituitary ACTH overproduction, adrenal tumor, or ectopic ACTH). The excess cortisol produces the typical features—hyperglycemia from gluconeogenesis, protein breakdown, fat redistribution, hypertension, and immune suppression. The other substances listed are not the hallmark elevations in this condition: calcium can be affected by bone loss but is not diagnostic of Cushing's, and epinephrine and norepinephrine are catecholamines linked to conditions like pheochromocytoma or acute stress, not the primary issue in Cushing's. So the elevated substance is cortisol.