cataracts

[North48]

Are cataracts a symptom of cushing's?  I was just diagnosed with the start of catarcats and I'm only 49 yrs old.  The eye dr was even surprised for my age for this to be happening.  I have been having headaches since january thought it was because of my blood pressure but they still continue.  Internist put me on Zyrtec to rule out sinuses and allergies for 2 weeks.  The eye dr did not have the equipment for the periphical vision test so that will be done next week at another office.  The eye dr did recommend that I have an MRI just to make sure no change in the 3x4 micro nonfunctioning tumor.  The little bit of research that I've done sounds like there could be a connection.  Does anyone have any experience with this?

[rumpled]

Cataracts, unfortunately, can be caused by a lot of things, but that you have them early should be another clue to an expert.

If you have not hit any highs - have you had cortisol binding globulin tested? If that is high, you will not get highs in any free type tests - that is saliva or urine. Since serums are salivas are point in time tests, it is sometimes hard to get a hit on them anyway, and I used to fail urine average tests as my highs were high, but my lows were so low, it dragged the average down. It took testing over and over, and doing different types of tests, at different times, to figure out how I was high and when. It is not a disease anyone wants - it was featured in a magazine of the 10 most horrible disease or something like that (as a joke, but it was pretty true).

As for alcohol - there is actually a form of Cushing's caused by too much, but it would have to be a severe form of alcoholism, not just casual use.

I have not heard cataracts being caused by aldosterone but yes, it is a steroid. But that is just as far as I know.

Technically, all hormones are steroids and so are other things that you may not think are steroids. Corticosteroid, anabolic ( derived from testosterone), adrongenic (estrogen) (mineralcorticosteroids (aldosterone) - even vitamin D is a steroid. The term is tossed around, but really, it should be made more specific - most people mean anabolic or corticosteroids when they say *steroid* but it covers a lot!  Steroid refers to the form of the molecule.

Jennifer

[North48]

Thank you so much for your response. I just needed someone to confirm this with me after being told that I have cataracts so early.  I will have the periphual vision checked this week and the eye dr did order (to my internist) that I have an mri NOW to check on the 3x4 tumor.  I have felt that I fit the Cushing's symptoms to a "T" but all the tests have come back normal.  Maybe now the dr's will take me more seriously..I can only pray.  I absolutely do not want cushing's but I know something is wrong.

I am not taking any steroids so the only thing can be elevated is cortisol.. Right?  I've also read that alcohol can be a part of this but I don't think drinking some wine here and there would cause this....What's your thoughts?

Can it also be aldosterone or is aldosterone not a steroid?  My potassium has fallen lately so I've been wondering about hyperaldosteronism. Just a thought..

Any help is always greatly appreciated...Thank you,
Carrie

[rumpled]

Yes, cataracts can happen. It is from the steroids. Heavy steroid users also are more prone to cataracts.

I found this on a website.

"Another side effect of high doses or prolonged use of prednisone (or other steroids) is the development of cataracts. Cataracts are generally thought of as a condition of older persons. However, because prednisone accelerates the natural aging process, it can cause cataracts to develop in younger people. Unlike some side effects, such as facial “mooning,” increased appetite, hair growth, and acne, a cataract will not abate after the course of steroid treatment is complete. However, if the steroid dosage is lessened or discontinued, an existing cataract may not get any larger."

Sorry that this is happening.