What would an individual with Cushing syndrome tend to exhibit?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Normal blood glucose level
• D. Decreased 2-hour postprandial glucose

Answer: (A)

When cortisol is in excess, as in Cushing syndrome, blood glucose tends to rise. Cortisol stimulates hepatic gluconeogenesis, making more glucose in the liver, and it also reduces the body's sensitivity to insulin. This combination means glucose is produced more and used less efficiently by muscles and fat, leading to higher fasting and postprandial glucose levels. Over time, this can manifest as persistent hyperglycemia or even steroid-induced diabetes.

Hypoglycemia would not fit this pattern because cortisol raises, not lowers, blood glucose. A normal glucose level would miss the impact of sustained cortisol excess, and a decreased 2-hour postprandial glucose would imply better glucose tolerance, which is inconsistent with the insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose production seen in Cushing syndrome.