A 29-year-old female patient exhibited a rounded face, hirsutism, upper body obesity, easily bruised skin, severe fatigue, muscle weakness, and anxiety. She also complained of irregular periods. A long term asthma sufferer, she had been prescribed prednisone for the past 2 years. Findings on examination revealed high fasting blood glucose levels and high blood pressure. Cortisol levels were bellow normal. Which one of the following is the most likely explanation to account for the patient symptoms?
A. DECREASED LEVELS OF INSULIN
B. INCREASED LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE
C. DECREASED SECRETION OF ACTH
D. EXCESS EXOGENOUS GLUCOCORTICOID HORMONE
E. INCREASED HEPATIC METABOLISM OF STEROID HORMONES