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Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder where the pituitary gland does not produce the correct hormone. In some cases, can be more than one hormone that is not produced. It can be a result of dysfunction of the thalamus or the Pituitary Gland.

It often results in the decrease amount [secretion] of hormones from the pituitary gland.  This gland is a kidney-bean sized gland at the base of your brain.

Panhypopotuitarism is a term used to show a decrease in most of the eight hormones from the pituitary.

Potential Causes:

1.) Genetic causes
2.) Trauma
3.) Cysts
4.) Lesions
5.) Tumors
6.) Carcinomas  [Cancer]
7.) Others

*** Osteolytic bone lesions may be seen on X-ray
**Hormones involved: Gonadotropin [LH, FSH], TSH, ACTH, GH deficiency

Symptoms:

–  Infertility
–  Loss of body hair
–  Decreased menses
–  Fatigue
–  Weakness
–  Change in weight

Treatment:

Surgery

Dopamine agonists [Used for cancers called Prolactinomas]
.  Bromocriptine
.  Cabergoline

Hormone Replacement
.  Hydrocortisone (Cortisol)  – [Adrenal insufficiency]
.  Levothroxine – [Hypothyroidism]
. Testosterone  -[Male Hypogonadism]
. Estradiol  -[Female Hypogonadism]
.  others

– Followed by an specialist in Endocrinology