Amy Schumer says her Cushing syndrome diagnosis came after comments from online trolls: Signs and symptoms not to ignore

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Amy Schumer is crediting online comments from internet trolls and health-care professionals for her Cushing syndrome diagnosis. In a new episode of Call Her Daddy, the actress and comedian told host Alex Cooper how online criticism of her swollen face pushed her to get tested for the hormonal disorder.

"A year ago, the internet really came for me," the 43-year-old comedian said during the Wednesday episode of the podcast, adding she initially ignored the comments from online trolls. But then medical experts began chiming in, saying, "'No, no … something's really up. Your face looks so crazy,'" Schumer recalled. The I Feel Pretty star said healthcare professionals believed she might have Cushing syndrome, which can result in facial swelling sometimes called "moon face."

"At first, I was like, 'f—k off,'" Schumer said. But then she remembered she was getting steroid injections for scars from a breast reduction surgery and a Cesarean section after welcoming son, Gene, in 2019.

"So it gave me this thing called Cushing syndrome, which I wouldn't have known if the internet hadn't come for me so hard," Schumer explained.

Schumer learned of the condition before she began filming the upcoming Netflix comedy, Kinda Pregnant.

"...I had something called moon face, and I'm starring in a movie — and there's a camera right in my face. ... Everyone's like, 'You look great,'" she said. That was until one friend bluntly told her, "Your face is looking a little bit insane."

On the podcast, Schumer shared she "got rid" of her Cushing syndrome, explaining "it just has to work itself out." But before filming, she was "feeling really down" about her appearance.

"I was really having trouble figuring out how I was going to star in a movie while I had this going on," she added, noting another friend helped "amp me up" after they told her "you look f—king great."

Schumer first shared her Cushing syndrome diagnosis in February 2024, revealing she had been going through major medical scans while on the press tour for her Hulu show, Life & Beth.

"I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time, having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up," Schumer said in Jessica Yellin's "News Not Noise" newsletter. "So finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I'm healthy was the greatest news imaginable."

What is Cushing syndrome?

Cushing syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by heightened levels of cortisol. That's the body's main stress hormone, which is produced by the adrenal glands located above your kidneys.

Too much cortisol for a prolonged period of time can cause weight gain in the face, which is commonly called "moon face." It can also cause weight gain in the abdomen while the limbs remain slim, and a "buffalo hump" between the shoulders. Cushing syndrome can be caused by taking medications that have cortisol such as prednisone, asthma inhalers and joint steroid injections.

It's not the same as Cushing's disease. A specialist from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) pituitary team previously told Yahoo Canada that "Cushing's disease is a rare but serious condition that is caused by a pituitary tumour."

"The gland releases excessive adrenocorticotropic hormones and cortisol into the blood over a long period of time," the specialist added. "It's a hormonal disorder that is sometimes called hypercortisolism, and you will need to see an endocrinologist or someone who specializes in hormonal-related diseases to confirm your diagnosis and to help you receive proper care."

What are the signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome?

Cushing syndrome symptoms can vary depending on the amount of extra cortisol in the body. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the common signs of the disorder include:

• Weight gain in the face and/or the trunk, with thin limbs

• A fatty lump in between the shoulders

• Pink or purple stretch marks

• Thin, frail skin that easily bruises

• Slow wound healing

• Acne

Some symptoms in women might include hirsutism, which is thick and dark hair on the face and body, as well as periods that are irregular or stop. For men, some symptoms might include lower sex drive, reduced fertility and problems getting an erection. Other possible symptoms for people include:

• Extreme fatigue

• Muscle weakness

• Depression, anxiety and irritability

• Sleeplessness

• High blood pressure

• Headache

• Skin darkening

• Bone loss

If you have symptoms of Cushing syndrome, it's best to call your health-care provider. You should especially seek expert advice if you're taking glucocorticoid medicine to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.

How is Cushing syndrome treated?

A variety of factors will inform a health-care provider's treatment plan for your Cushing syndrome. According to John Hopkins Medicine, that includes your age, health history, sickness level, your ability to handle specific treatments and how long the condition is expected to last.

Surgery to remove tumours, adrenal glands or ectopic tumours may be an effective step to treating Cushing syndrome. Taking medications to reduce cortisol levels or taking away drugs that can cause Cushing syndrome can also help. Otherwise, radiation therapy or chemotherapy if a tumour is cancerous might be necessary.

Is Cushing syndrome dangerous?

If you don't get treatment for Cushing syndrome, the effects can possibly be fatal. Without treatment, you might experience infections, blood clots, depression, heart attack, type two diabetes and death.

Luckily, the syndrome is typically rare, according to Cleveland Clinic. Out of one million people per year, the disorder may affect around 40 to 70 patients.

How can I prevent Cushing syndrome?

Cortisol is always needed in your body. It allows your body to manage respiration, turns food into energy, regulates your blood sugar and helps you cope with stress, amongst other benefits. However, too much cortisol can be a problem for your body.

Unfortunately, there's no way to prevent a tumour that causes Cushing syndrome. But if you're taking steroids or another treatment that could result in Cushing syndrome, a health-care provider should be closely monitoring your cortisol levels.

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