Skip to content
Dr. Grey AI

Condition

Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing's syndrome is what happens when the body has too much cortisol, the main stress hormone, often from a pituitary tumor or steroid medicines. The strongest evidence is for a diagnostic test using ovine corticorelin: across 15 studies it identified Cushing's disease with about 86 to 93 percent sensitivity and beat the dexamethasone suppression test for accuracy. That work is about finding the cause, not easing symptoms, so it says nothing about supplements.

Sources: PMID 2543689; PMID 11380490

Supplements studied
0
Medicines and peptides
1
Graded outcomes
3
No supplement studies yetWe haven’t found supplement studies for Cushing's Syndrome. The medicines and peptides studied for it are listed below.

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use.

1 medicine or peptide

Corticorelin Ovine (Acthrel)

Corticorelin Ovine (Acthrel): outcomes studied for Cushing's Syndrome
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cushing's Disease Diagnosis

CRH test sensitivity 86-93%, specificity 90-100% for Cushing's disease. 93/100 patients with Cushing's disease showed ≥35% ACTH increase, 0/16 with ectopic ACTH. Superior to dexamethasone suppression test (91% vs 75% accuracy).

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect15 studies

Studies that measured cushing's disease diagnosis

and 12 more on the Corticorelin Ovine (Acthrel) page

ACTH/Cortisol Response

Positive criteria: ≥35-40% ACTH increase and/or ≥20% cortisol increase. ≥40% cortisol increase most specific (PPV 99%). Peak response at 15-30 minutes. Absent response in ectopic ACTH syndrome.

Changes; see studiesLarge effect15 studies

Studies that measured acth/cortisol response

and 12 more on the Corticorelin Ovine (Acthrel) page

Ectopic ACTH Exclusion

Ectopic ACTH tumors fail to respond to CRH stimulation. 0% of ectopic ACTH patients show positive response. False negative rate in Cushing's disease 5-10%. Ovine CRH preferred over human CRH for higher sensitivity.

Improves (the measure goes up)Large effect13 studies

Studies that measured ectopic acth exclusion

and 10 more on the Corticorelin Ovine (Acthrel) page

Key findings

  • Cushing's Disease DiagnosisCorticorelin Ovine (Acthrel)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • ACTH/Cortisol ResponseCorticorelin Ovine (Acthrel)Changes; see studies
  • Ectopic ACTH ExclusionCorticorelin Ovine (Acthrel)Improves (the measure goes up)

Studies cited

10 studies from PubMed

  1. Ovine CRH Stimulation and 8 mg Dexamethasone Suppression Tests in 323 Patients With ACTH-Dependent Cushing's SyndromeJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2024 · PMID 37751584
  2. Outcome of CRH stimulation test and overnight 8 mg dexamethasone suppression test in 469 patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndromeFront Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2022 · PMID 36223544
  3. Usefulness of combined testing with CRH and desmopressin to differentiate Cushing's syndrome from pseudo-Cushing's statesClin Endocrinol (Oxf), 2006 · PMID 16522696
  4. The corticotropin-releasing hormone test in the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome: a reappraisalJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2001 · PMID 11380490
  5. A simplified morning ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test for the differential diagnosis of adrenocorticotropin-dependent Cushing's syndromeJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1993 · PMID 8077325
  6. The dexamethasone-suppressed corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test differentiates mild Cushing's disease from normal physiologyJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1993 · PMID 3944403
  7. Petrosal sinus sampling with and without corticotropin-releasing hormone for the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndromeN Engl J Med, 1991 · PMID 7934519
  8. The ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test is superior to the human CRH stimulation test for the diagnosis of Cushing's diseaseJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1989 · PMID 2543689
  9. The ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test and the dexamethasone suppression test in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndromeAnn Intern Med, 1986 · PMID 3022629
  10. Responses of plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone to ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone in healthy aging menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1986 · PMID 2539850