Hypopituitarism By: Zach Lanham

What is Hypopituitarism? Rare disorder in which your pituitary glands fails to produce one or more of its hormone or does not produce enough of them.

Symptoms Some symptoms do vary depending on the hormone(s) that are affected. They include: Fatigue Loss of Appetite Weight Loss Anemia Short stature in children

Hypopituitarism Causes Hypopituitarism can be inherited, but is more commonly seen from a tumor on the pituitary gland. Other causes include: Head injuries Tuberculosis Meningitis Stroke

Diagnosing Hypopituitarism Blood Tests To help detect low hormone levels Dynamic Testing To detect hormone levels after taking hormone medication Brain Imaging To detect a pituitary tumor or other abnormality Vision Test To determine if the pituitary tumor has impacted your vision

Tumor on Pituitary Gland

Treatments There is not a cure for this disorder, unless it is caused by a tumor, which removing the tumor should allow hormone levels to return to normal. If there is not a tumor, than hormone replacement therapy is the only other treatment. These include: Corticosteroids – ex. Hydrocortisone, prednisone Thyroid – ex. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Sex Hormones – ex. Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone Growth Hormone

Sources http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypopituitarism/DS00479/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs