A Case Report of Cushing’s Disease Presenting as Hair Loss

    February 2017 in “ Case Reports in Dermatology ”
    Emily G Lefkowitz, Jack P. Cossman, John Fournier
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    TLDR Hair loss led to the diagnosis of Cushing's disease in a patient, showing that hair loss can be a sign of hormonal disorders.
    In 2017, a 33-year-old female with a history of various health issues, including a stable pituitary microadenoma, presented with worsening hair loss over a year, unresponsive to minoxidil treatment. Physical examination and laboratory tests, including elevated levels of urine cortisol and other hormones, led to a diagnosis of Cushing's disease. The patient's hair loss, along with other dermatological signs, was consistent with this diagnosis. Despite hair loss being a common complaint, it is rarely the initial symptom of Cushing's disease. The patient's treatment involved the surgical removal of the pituitary microadenoma. This case highlights the need to consider endocrine disorders in the differential diagnosis of hair loss.
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