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Hypopituitarism
Medical Questions » Hypopituitarism
| Name: Hypopituitarism |
| Also known as: Pituitary Failure; Simmonds' Disease |
| The pituitary gland sits in the center of the brain and secretes hormones into the blood stream that control every other hormone producing gland in the body (eg. thyroid gland, adrenal gland, ovary, testes). Hypopituitarism occurs if the pituitary fails to produce appropriate regulating hormones. If the gland fails to produce all the possible hormones it is called panhypopituitarism. |
Causes of Hypopituitarism
A tumor of the pituitary, head injury, stroke, swollen blood vessels, an abscess in the gland, malnutrition or other rare and complex reasons. |
Symptoms of Hypopituitarism
When the pituitary gland is underactive, every other gland it controls will also become underactive and the patient will have reduced sexual desire and activity, lose pubic hair, men will stop growing a beard and women will stop having monthly periods. Other problems include weakness, tiredness, poor resistance to infections, low blood pressure, vision defects, and becoming stressed easily. Sometimes only part of the pituitary gland is underactive, so only some glands will malfunction. |
Tests for Hypopituitarism
The diagnosis can be confirmed by blood tests, CT and MRI scans. |
Treatment for Hypopituitarism
Correcting the cause, if possible, by surgery or irradiation, and giving hormone supplements by tablet or injection.
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Complications of Hypopituitarism of its treatment
Infertility may be a problem in both sexes. |
Likely Outcome of Hypopituitarism
Depends on the cause, but in most cases the condition can be well controlled. |
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