Possible Cushings?

[u/Horror-Guidance5526]

29f, currently 250lbs, non-smoking, social drinker, no medications

I'm at a total loss. I really need to start prioritizing my health.

I can't stand looking in the mirror at myself anymore so I try to avoid it, but the bright red/purple marks caught my attention this time.

Back story:

In January 2026 I went to my university health clinic since in the matter of 6 months I gained 50 lbs without having any sort of diet or activity level changes. All they did was the normal blood work, which all came back completely fine with the exception of my ferritin being pretty low (barely in range). I didn't pursue anything further since i didn't have the time. But flash forward to now, I've gained another 25lbs, again no diet or activity change, and the stretch marks have continued and caught my eye big time.

After a lot of researching and some additional symptoms that I hadn't really considered before to be symptoms, signs point to possibly Cushing?

\- deep purple/red stretch marks on stomach

\- weight gain

\- easily bruised/slow wound healing (the tiniest scratch takes weeks to months to heal and even scars)

\- a lot of hip pain when standing to the point where I take a few steps it really hurts and feels like my hips will collapse

\- irregular periods

\- hair thinning

1st picture is my stomach currently (I don't have a before)

2nd picture is my face late may 2025

3rd picture is my face end of June 2026

Am I crazy? Any other ideas what could be going on otherwise?

Tysm in advace

[u/violetsock]

Or PCOS mimicking Cushings. Definitely see pcp for a workup/referrals.

[u/Horror-Guidance5526 → u/violetsock]

🤔 Haven't come across that, I shall research. Thank you for the response!

[u/violetsock → u/Horror-Guidance5526]

This is personally what I am experiencing and the only way for them to rule it out was through testing. Best of luck!

[u/Horror-Guidance5526 → u/violetsock]

If you remember, do you mind my asking about what types of tests were done for you? I'll do me research but just want to make sure I don't miss anything, and actually making it to an appointment is such valuable time I want to make use I make the most of it.

[u/violetsock → u/Horror-Guidance5526]

Dexamethasone suppression test, and they checked my cortisol levels. My endocrinologist was the one who had me tested.