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Addison's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome

Biology · Chemical Coordination and Integration · NEET

Both disorders come from the adrenal cortex. Addison's disease is caused by UNDER-production of adrenal cortex hormones (corticoids), giving acute weakness, fatigue and altered carbohydrate metabolism. Cushing's syndrome is the opposite: too much cortisol, causing a moon face and hyperglycemia. Memory hook: "Add" less in Addison (hypo), "Cushion" of fat in Cushing (hyper).
Adrenal Cortex DisordersCortexMedullaAdrenal glandAddison's DiseaseHYPO cortisol (too little)weakness, fatigueCushing's SyndromeHYPER cortisol (excess)moon face, hyperglycemiaRememberAdd-ison = Add LESSCush-ion = Fat MORE
Both disorders arise from the adrenal cortex (not medulla). Addison's = hypo-secretion of cortisol → weakness and fatigue; Cushing's = hyper-secretion of cortisol → moon face and hyperglycemia.

Your doubts, answered

Is Addison's disease due to hypo-secretion or hyper-secretion?

HYPO-secretion. NCERT says: 'Underproduction of hormones by the adrenal cortex... causing acute weakness and fatigue leading to a disease called Addison's disease.' So Addison = too LITTLE corticoids (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids). This is the single most tested fact about it.

Which gland part is involved, adrenal cortex or adrenal medulla?

The adrenal CORTEX, not the medulla. The medulla makes adrenaline and noradrenaline (emergency hormones). The cortex makes corticoids (cortisol, aldosterone). Both Addison's and Cushing's are cortex disorders. NTA often puts 'adrenal medulla' as a trap option.

What causes Cushing's syndrome?

EXCESS cortisol (a glucocorticoid) from the adrenal cortex. NEET 2024 matched it as: 'Excess secretion of cortisol, moon face & hyperglycemia.' High cortisol raises blood glucose (gluconeogenesis), so hyperglycemia appears. Note: Cushing's is not in the core NCERT paragraph but IS asked in NEET, so learn it.

Addison's vs Cushing's — how do I never mix them up?

Think opposites. Addison = adrenal cortex UNDER-active (hypo) → weakness, fatigue, low BP. Cushing = cortisol OVER (hyper) → moon face, hyperglycemia, fat deposition. If the question says 'underproduction' pick Addison; if it says 'excess cortisol / moon face' pick Cushing's.

Does Addison's disease change carbohydrate metabolism?

Yes. NCERT states underproduction of adrenal cortex hormones 'alters carbohydrate metabolism.' Because glucocorticoids normally stimulate gluconeogenesis (make glucose), losing them disturbs blood glucose and energy, giving the weakness and fatigue.

⚠️ The NEET trap
✗ Addison's disease is caused by the adrenal medulla / by hyper-secretion of corticoids.
✓ Addison's disease is caused by UNDER-production (hypo-secretion) of adrenal CORTEX hormones (corticoids).
🧠 Addison = A for 'Absent/low' cortex hormones (hypo). Medulla is a distractor — it makes adrenaline, not corticoids.

Real NEET questions

2019

Match the following hormones with the respective disease. (a) Insulin (b) Thyroxin (c) Corticoids (d) Growth Hormone — with (i) Addison's disease (ii) Diabetes insipidus (iii) Acromegaly (iv) Goitre (v) Diabetes mellitus.

A · (a)-(v), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
B · (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)
C · (a)-(v), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii) ✓
D · (a)-(ii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)
Solution: Corticoids → Addison's disease (adrenal cortex under-production). Also Insulin → Diabetes mellitus, Thyroxin → Goitre, Growth Hormone → Acromegaly. So (a)-(v), (b)-(iv), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii).
2024

Match List I with List II. A. Exophthalmic goiter B. Acromegaly C. Cushing's syndrome D. Cretinism — with I. Excess secretion of cortisol, moon face & hyperglycemia II. Hypo-secretion of thyroid hormone and stunted growth III. Hyper secretion of thyroid hormone & protruding eye balls IV. Excessive secretion of growth hormone.

A · A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III
B · A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
C · A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II ✓
D · A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
Solution: Cushing's syndrome = excess cortisol, moon face & hyperglycemia (C-I). Exophthalmic goitre = hyperthyroidism with protruding eyeballs (A-III); Acromegaly = excess GH (B-IV); Cretinism = hypothyroidism, stunted growth (D-II).

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Frequently asked

Which hormone is deficient in Addison's disease?

The adrenal cortex hormones (corticoids) — mainly glucocorticoids like cortisol and mineralocorticoids like aldosterone are under-produced.

What are the main symptoms of Addison's disease?

NCERT lists acute weakness and fatigue from altered carbohydrate metabolism. Clinically it also lowers blood pressure and salt balance, but for NEET remember weakness and fatigue.

Is Cushing's syndrome in NCERT?

The core NCERT paragraph names Addison's disease, not Cushing's. But NEET has asked Cushing's (2024), so learn it as: excess cortisol → moon face and hyperglycemia.

Why does Cushing's syndrome cause hyperglycemia?

Cortisol (a glucocorticoid) stimulates gluconeogenesis, raising blood glucose. Excess cortisol therefore raises blood glucose, giving hyperglycemia.

Are Addison's and Cushing's from the same gland?

Yes — both are adrenal CORTEX disorders. Addison's is hypo-function (too little corticoids); Cushing's is hyper-function (too much cortisol).

Related concepts:
Adrenal Gland: Cortex and MedullaGlucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone)Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: Emergency HormonesPancreas: Islets of LangerhansHuman Endocrine System: Overview of All Glands
Practise Biology for NEET:
Biology MCQs (free, chapter-wise)Chemical Coordination and Integration PYQs