Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Pituitary Insufficiency
Number of Conditions: 1
Hypopituitarism (Deficiency of Pituitary Hormones)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Pituitary Disorders
Sub-category: Pituitary Insufficiency
Symptoms:
fatigue; weakness; weight changes; cold intolerance; low libido; decreased appetite; nausea; dizziness; infertility; growth delays in children
Root Cause:
Reduced or absent production of one or more pituitary hormones due to damage or dysfunction of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests to measure hormone levels (e.g., ACTH, TSH, GH, LH, FSH), MRI of the pituitary gland, stimulation tests for specific hormones.
Treatment:
Hormone replacement therapy tailored to the deficient hormones (e.g., cortisol, thyroid hormone, sex hormones, growth hormone).
Medications:
Hormone replacement medications include hydrocortisone or prednisone for adrenal insufficiency (glucocorticoids), levothyroxine for hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone replacement), and testosterone or estrogen/progesterone for hypogonadism (sex hormone therapy). Recombinant human growth hormone (GH) may be prescribed for growth hormone deficiency.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect approximately 45 per 100,000 people.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pituitary tumors, traumatic brain injury, radiation therapy to the head, autoimmune conditions, infections, genetic mutations.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Lifelong management is required with good outcomes if hormone replacement is adequate.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Adrenal crisis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, infertility, psychological effects such as depression or anxiety.