EP 08: [Special Edition] Root Member Story: Solving the Mystery of Excess Cortisol

When conventional care couldn’t explain her symptoms, Madelyn kept searching for answers. In this episode, she shares her two-year struggle with unexplained weight gain, fatigue, acne, and excessive sweating. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, her concerns were repeatedly dismissed, with doctors attributing them to normal post-college changes. Madelyn’s turning point came when she connected with Root Functional Medicine. Through advanced testing, including a saliva cortisol panel, Root uncovered the true cause: Cushing’s syndrome, a rare hormonal condition caused by a pituitary tumor. She recounts the relief of diagnosis, her successful surgery, and the dramatic improvement in her health, including a 60-pound weight loss and getting her life back. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-advocacy, truly listening to piece together the full health puzzle, and going beyond routine labs to uncover the root cause.