How is iatrogenic Cushings treated?
If the Cushing’s Syndrome is a side effect of taking high doses of steroid hormones (iatrogenic), withdrawing these medicines will allow the body to go back to normal. The ability to taper or stop the steroids, however, depends on the type of disease being treated and the pattern of response. Sometimes, steroids cannot be totally stopped or may be reduced only to a limited degree because the illness being treated would worsen. In that case, some degree of persistent Cushing’s Syndrome would remain as an unwanted side effect. Treatment of the effects of steroid excess would include management of high blood sugar with diet and medications, replacement of potassium, treatment of high blood pressure, early treatment of any infections, adequate calcium intake and appropriate adjustments in steroid doses at times of acute illness, surgery or injury. Written by: Paul Margulies, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E. Medical Director of NADF Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Cornell University Medic
