Which condition is commonly associated with overproduction of adrenocortical hormones?

Which condition is commonly associated with overproduction of adrenocortical hormones?

• A. Cushing's syndrome
• B. Addison's disease
• C. Graves' disease
• D. Diabetes mellitus

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing when the adrenal cortex is producing too much hormone, with cortisol driving the picture. Cushing's syndrome results from hypercortisolism, often due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor (Cushing disease), an adrenal tumor or hyperplasia, or ectopic ACTH production. The excess cortisol produces features such as central weight gain, moon face, a buffalo hump, thinning skin with easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Addison's disease, by contrast, is the opposite problem—low adrenal hormone production leading to fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, and hyperpigmentation. Graves' disease is a thyroid overactivity, not adrenal, while diabetes mellitus involves issues with insulin and glucose regulation, not excess adrenocortical hormones.

The key idea is recognizing when the adrenal cortex is producing too much hormone, with cortisol driving the picture. Cushing's syndrome results from hypercortisolism, often due to an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor (Cushing disease), an adrenal tumor or hyperplasia, or ectopic ACTH production. The excess cortisol produces features such as central weight gain, moon face, a buffalo hump, thinning skin with easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Addison's disease, by contrast, is the opposite problem—low adrenal hormone production leading to fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, and hyperpigmentation. Graves' disease is a thyroid overactivity, not adrenal, while diabetes mellitus involves issues with insulin and glucose regulation, not excess adrenocortical hormones.