Which hormone is typically elevated in individuals with Cushing syndrome?

In individuals with Cushing syndrome, cortisol is the hormone that is typically elevated. Cushing syndrome is characterized by excessive levels of cortisol in the blood, which can result from various causes, including pituitary adenomas (Cushing's disease), adrenal tumors, or ectopic ACTH production. The excess cortisol can lead to a range of symptoms, such as weight gain, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, among others.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, and it plays a crucial role in metabolism, immune response modulation, and stress response. In Cushing syndrome, the overproduction of cortisol disrupts these normal physiological processes, leading to the characteristic clinical manifestations associated with the condition. This is why elevated cortisol levels are central to the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.