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Welcome to the new Cushing's Help and Support FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. This new area will be a compilation of our visitors most frequent questions. Questions and answers are still being added.

Please select either a category on the left, or type in a keyword to search the database of questions and answers. Please note that there are several questions waiting to be answered at this time. Your question will be answered as soon as possible. If your question is very urgent, you might want to check the message boards to see if your question has been answered, or add it yourself.

IMPORTANT: The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation.



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  • Where can I find information about going to Swedish for testing with Dr Ludlam?

    Robin (staticnrg) has provided info for both Dr. Ludlam and Dr. Friedman in her PageFlake at http://www.pageflakes.com/staticnrg.ashx?

    There is also information compiled about testing with Dr. Ludlam here: on the message boards, in this topic

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  • Is there anyway you can add a list of Definitions to the FAQ? I'm so new to everything that I have no idea what some of the initials mean. BLA? I have no idea what that is, and I've been looking for just one person to spell it out. I don't know much about Cushings, but I'm trying my best to learn. I just think an explanation of common initials would help us newbies out so much!

    There is a list of definitions that would be way too big to put on the FAQ page, but there's a link to the Glossary at at the top of every page here: http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm

    Some abbreviations used on the boards and throughout the bios are;

    ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. ACTH is a normal by-product of the anterior pituitary gland. It acts by controlling the secretion of the adrenal hormone, cortisol. Produced by the pituitary gland. A pituitary tumor often causes too little ACTH to be produced. Symptoms of ACTH deficiency include weakness, fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances.

    ADH: AntiDiuretic Hormone

    AI: Adrenal Insufficiency/adrenal crisis. Adrenal insufficiency is a life threatening chronic illness. An active and vigorous lifestyle with normal life expectancy is possible as long as the prescribed medications are taken regularly and adjusted when indicated. As with most chronic diseases, adrenal insufficiency demands that the patients take responsibility and develop self-management skills and techniques.

    BG: Blood Glucose

    BIPSS: Bilateral Inferior Petrosal Sinus Sampling

    BLA: Bilateral adrenalectomy. Surgical removal of both the adrenal glands.

    BMD: Is often used as an acronym for bone mineral density

    BP: Blood Pressure

    BS: Blood Sugar (ahem...usually)

    Ca: calcium

    CD: Cushing's Disease

    CRH: Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

    CS: Cushing's Syndrome

    DI: Diabetes Insipidus

    Dx: diagnosis

    GH: Growth Hormone

    GTT: glucose tolerance test

    hGH: Human Growth Hormone

    HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy

    IGF-1: (also known as Serum IGF-1 or Somatomedin C) is a polypeptide hormone. It belongs to a family of peptides whose levels are regulated by growth hormone (GH) through receptors. IGF-1 is secreted mainly by the liver and has potent growth stimulating activity. Its mitogenic activity has caused interest in its possible role in cancer growth but its present clinical use is for the diagnosis of human growth disorders. Less than 5% of IGF-1 is free and the rest is bound to IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP). The major one in circulation is IGFBP-3.

    IPSS/PSS: Petrosal Sinus Sampling

    ITT: Insulin Tolerance Test

    K: potassium

    Na: sodium

    PCOS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    Pheo: A pheochromocytoma is a tumor that originates from the adrenal gland's chromaffin cells, causing overproduction of catecholamines, powerful hormones that induce high blood pressure and other symptoms.

    PICC Line: A PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a semi-permanent IV line), which is inserted into a large vein, usually in your arm although other places may be used. This will allow fluids and injections to be given, and blood samples to be taken. It will save you the discomfort of repeated sticks.

    PPNAD aka Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease: A rare disease of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are small glands located above each kidney. The adrenals make hormones. Hormones are chemical substances formed in one organ or part of the body that travel in the blood to other body parts where they influence how that body part works. Cortisol is one of the hormones made by the adrenals. Cortisol influences body metabolism (how the body converts small molecules to large and vice versa) and can decrease inflammation. People with PPNAD have adrenal glands that make too much cortisol or make it at inappropriate times (when the body does not need it).

    SIADH: Syndrome of Inappropriate AntiDiuretic Hormone

    UFC: Urinary Free Cortisol

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