A 36-Year-Old Has Cramping, Lung Issues and Can’t Lose Weight

In this patient, gain from surgical excision extended to better achievement of glycemic control and near resolution of hypertension. He was normotensive on 10 mg daily of ramipril. Previously, he required four agents and his blood pressure control was suboptimal. At higher concentrations of cortisol, activity spills over to mineralocorticoid receptor, thus mimicking a primary mineralocorticoid excess state.

Failure to lose weight and worsening of glycemic control should prompt search for precipitating factors beyond consideration of dietary indiscretion or noncompliance with therapy. When worsening of hypertension and emergence/persistence of hypokalemia is noticed, consider glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid and catecholamine excess states. Although hyperthyroidism causes worsening of glycemic control, weight gain is less common.

Glucocorticoid excess state (more so in hyperglycemic patients with diabetes) is a perfect setup for superadded bacterial or fungal infections, often with fatal outcome.^[3] Early diagnosis and treatment is life-saving.

A single-institution review of ACTH-secreting bronchial carcinoid tumor reinforced early detection and aggressive management to reduce consequences of chronic hypercortisolism and reduce risk for metastases.^[4] Mifepristone, a glucocorticoid/progesterone receptor antagonist, was approved for the management of hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing syndrome. However, it may worsen hypertension and hypokalemia.

Cite this: Endo Case Challenge: A 36-Year-Old Has Cramping, Lung Issues and Can’t Lose Weight - Medscape - Mar 31, 2022.

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.

My Alerts