Stories of Change

Stacey Huelsing-Dhein, a registered dietitian and former pharmaceutical sales manager, knew something was wrong. Despite her expertise and healthy habits, she experienced unexplained weight gain, anxiety, fatigue and skin changes. Her concerns were repeatedly dismissed. 

“I kept hearing, ‘Exercise more. Eat less. Try anxiety medication,’” Stacey said. “But I knew my body; I knew something deeper was going on.” 

After nearly a decade of worsening symptoms, Stacey was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a rare endocrine disorder caused by excess cortisol production, often due to a tumor on the pituitary gland. The disease is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can mimic common conditions like obesity, anxiety and high blood pressure, and many primary care providers are unfamiliar with its presentation. 

The turning point came when a physician neighbor suggested a cortisol test—a simple lab that revealed abnormal levels and ultimately led Stacey to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. That test, she said, could have changed everything much earlier. 

“If they had just done one test—a cortisol test—I could have been diagnosed much earlier,” she said.

Compassionate Care and a Delicate Diagnosis 

Stacey’s journey brought her to Dr. Margaret Wierman, professor of endocrinology, and Dr. Kevin Lillehei, director of the Neurosurgery Neuro-Oncology laboratory — two nationally recognized experts at CU Anschutz. Together, they lead one of the most advanced multidisciplinary teams in the region for diagnosing and treating complex pituitary and adrenal disorders. 

Dr. Wierman, who directs the CU Pituitary, Adrenal and Neuroendocrine Tumor Program, is internationally known for her research in reproductive and neuroendocrinology and has published extensively on adrenal cancers and rare endocrine syndromes. She noted that in most cases, Cushing’s syndrome is triggered by a tumor in the pituitary gland that signals the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol. Sometimes, the source is an adrenal tumor itself, which may be benign or cancerous. In very rare cases, tumors in other parts of the body, like the lungs or pancreas, can also cause the disease. 

“Endocrinologists are like detectives,” she said. “Through historical examination, laboratory data and imaging, we can discover the cause of the excess cortisol and design the appropriate treatment. We follow our patients from the initial discovery process through the surgical removal of the tumor and then careful evaluation to adjust hormones afterwards, and in some cases, institute additional new medical therapies.”  

To confirm her diagnosis, Stacey underwent inferior petrosal sinus sampling, a highly specialized procedure that maps hormone secretion directly from the pituitary gland. The test revealed a microscopic tumor, and Dr. Lillehei—who has performed thousands of pituitary surgeries—led the delicate operation. 

As director of the Neurosurgery Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Dr. Lillehei is a pioneer in minimally invasive brain surgery and tumor immunotherapy. He has been recognized as a 5280 Top Doc for more than a decade and is widely respected for his leadership in skull base and pituitary surgery. 

“The surgery was incredibly delicate,” Stacey said. “Dr. Lillehei and his team were phenomenal. I felt like I was in the best hands possible.”

Stacey enjoying travels, hobbies, joyful moments and travel adventures in the months leading up to her surgery.

Recovery and Resilience  

Stacey’s recovery was challenging. She spent time in the ICU, managed adrenal insufficiency, and faced fatigue unlike anything she’d experienced before. 

“There were days I slept 18 to 20 hours,” she said. “But I listened to my body and gave myself grace.” 

She also found strength in patient support groups, including the Cushing’s Support and Research Foundation and Pituitary News, connecting with others navigating similar paths. 

“I’ve met others with Cushing’s who didn’t have access to the same level of care,” Stacey said. “It made me realize how lucky I was and how important it is to support research and education.” 

Moved by her exceptional patient experience, Stacey made a generous bequest to the Pituitary Fund at CU Anschutz to support research into Cushing’s syndrome. 

“I believe in science,” she said. “If my gift can help someone get diagnosed earlier or avoid the long journey I went through, it’s worth every penny.” 

Her gift will help expand tumor biobanking and accelerate research into the root causes of Cushing’s syndrome—work that could transform care for future patients. 

Dr. Wierman expressed gratitude to Stacey and her family for their commitment to support future research in the tumors that cause Cushing’s syndrome and its myriads of adverse effects. “We don’t know the molecular underpinnings of what causes these pituitary, adrenal or other tumors, but our lab is investigating the changes that occur by studying tumor samples from our patients,” she said. “We hope to discover the triggers of these variable tumors and design novel therapies for our patients.” 

Stacey’s message to others is simple but powerful: 

“Don’t give up. Keep asking questions. Rest and recover. You can do this.” 

“I told my providers, ‘We’re going to win this battle.’ And now, I get to help others win theirs.” 

Stacey takes a full-body self portrait in June 2025 to record her post-surgery weight loss.

Make a Gift

If you would like to make a gift to the Pituitary Fund at CU Anschutz to support research into Cushing’s syndrome, please visit our online giving form, call 303-541-1290 or visit the Department of Neurosurgery's Philanthropy website for more information.