Hypopituitarism Definition

Hypopituitarism is loss of function in an endocrine gland due to failure of the pituitary gland to secrete hormones which stimulate that glands function. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. Patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism may be deficient in one single hormone, several hormones, or have complete pituitary failure.

The pituitary is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, and surrounded by bone. The hypothalamus, another endocrine organ in the brain, controls the function of the pituitary gland by providing hormonal orders. In turn, the pituitary gland regulates the many hormones that control various functions and organs within the body. The posterior pituitary acts as a sort of storage area for the hypothalamus and passes on hormones that control function of the muscles and kidneys. The anterior pituitary produces its own hormones which help to regulate several endocrine functions.

In hypopituitarism, something interferes with the production and release of these hormones, thus affecting the function of the target gland. Commonly affected hormones may include:

Gonadotropin deficiency involves two distinct hormones affecting the reproductive system. Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the testes in men and the ovaries in women. This deficiency can affect fertility in men and women and menstruation in women. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) has similar effects to LH.

Also known as corticotropin, adrenocorticotopic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone similar to cortisone, called cortisol. The loss of this hormone can lead to serious problems.

Growth hormone (GH) regulates the bodys growth. Patients who lose supply of this hormone before physical maturity will suffer impaired growth. Loss of the hormone can also affect adults.

Deficiency of a single pituitary hormone occurs less commonly than deficiency of more than one hormone. Sometimes referred to as progressive pituitary hormone deficiency or partial hypopituitarism, there is usually a predictable order of hormone loss. Generally, growth hormone is lost first, then luteinizing hormone deficiency follows. The loss of follicle-stimulating hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotopic hormones follow much later. The progressive loss of pituitary hormone secretion is usually a slow process, which can occur over a period of months or years. Hypopituitarism does occasionally start suddenly with rapid onset of symptoms.

This condition represents the loss of all hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland. Panhypopituitarism is also known as complete pituitary failure.

There are three major mechanisms which lead to the development of hypopituitarism. The first involves decreased release of hypothalamic hormones that stimulate pituitary function. The cause of decreased hypothalamic function may be congenital or acquired through interference such as tumors, inflammation, infection, mass lesions or interruption of blood supply. A second category of causes is any event or mass which interrupts the delivery of hormones from the hypothalamus. These may include particular tumors and aneurysms. Damage to the pituitary stalk from injury or surgery can also lead to hypopituitarism.

Hypopituitarism is a partial or complete insufficiency of pituitary hormone secretion that may derive from pituitary or hypothalamic disease. The onset can

Read more: Pediatric Hypopituitarism: Background, Etiology, Epidemiology

Symptoms of Hypopituitarism

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Hypopituitarism includes the 21 symptoms listed below:

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Hypopituitarism:

Review the available symptom checkers for these symptoms of Hypopituitarism:

Review the available Assessment Questionnaires for the symptoms of Hypopituitarism:

Read information about complications of Hypopituitarism.

Do I have Hypopituitarism?

Home medical tests related to Hypopituitarism:

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Hypopituitarism includes:

See the full list of 12

More information about symptoms of Hypopituitarism and related conditions:

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

When considering symptoms of Hypopituitarism, it is also important to consider Hypopituitarism as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Hypopituitarism may cause:

For a more detailed analysis of Hypopituitarism as a symptom, including causes, drug side effect causes, and drug interaction causes, please see our Symptom Center information for Hypopituitarism.

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Hypopituitarism. This signs and symptoms information for Hypopituitarism has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Hypopituitarism signs or Hypopituitarism symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Hypopituitarism may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Hypopituitarism symptoms.

Continue reading here: Symptoms of Hypopituitarism RightDiagnosis.com

by Ian M. Chapman, MBBS, PhD

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* THIS IS THE CONSUMER VERSION *

Hypopituitarism is an underactive pituitary gland that results in deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones.

Hypopituitarism can be caused by several factors, including certain inflammatory disorders, a tumor of the pituitary gland, or an insufficient blood supply to the pituitary gland.

Symptoms depend on what hormone is deficient and may include short height, infertility, intolerance to cold, fatigue, and an inability to produce breast milk.

The diagnosis is based on measuring the blood levels of hormones produced by the pituitary gland and on imaging tests done on the pituitary gland.

Treatment focuses on replacing deficient hormones with synthetic ones but sometimes includes surgical removal or irradiation of any pituitary tumors.

Hypopituitarism, an uncommon disorder, can be caused by a number of factors, including a pituitary tumor or an insufficient blood supply to the pituitary gland.

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The rest is here: Hypopituitarism Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders Merck

Hypopituitarism What is hypopituitarism?

Hypopituitarism, also called an underactive pituitary gland, is a condition that affects the anterior lobe of the pituitary glandusually resulting in a partial or complete loss of functioning of that lobe. The resulting symptoms depend on which hormones are no longer being produced by the gland. Because the pituitary gland affects the other endocrine organs, effects of hypopituitarism may be gradual or sudden and dramatic.

Symptoms vary depending on what hormones are insufficiently produced by the pituitary gland. The following are common symptoms associated with reduced production of certain hormones:

Insufficient gonadotropins production (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone)

In premenopausal women, this leads to absent menstrual cycles, infertility, vaginal dryness, and loss of some female characteristics. In men, this deficiency leads to impotence, shriveling of testes, decreased sperm production, infertility, erectile dysfunction,and loss of some male characteristics.

Insufficient growth hormone production

This usually produces no symptoms in adults. However, it can cause loss of bone density and loss of muscle mass in adults. In children, this deficiency can lead to stunted growth and dwarfism.

Insufficient thyroid-stimulating hormone production

This usually leads to an underactive thyroid and may cause confusion, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, and dry skin.

Insufficientadrenocorticotropin hormone production

This rare deficiency leads to an underactive adrenal gland, resulting in low blood pressure, a low blood sugar level, fatigue, and a low tolerance for stress.

Insufficient prolactin production

This rare deficiency may cause an inability to produce breast milk after childbirth in some women.

The symptoms of hypopituitarism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult yourdoctor for a diagnosis.

Causes of hypopituitarism can directly affect the pituitary gland, or indirectly affect the glandthrough changes inthe hypothalamus.

Causes of primary hypopituitarism (directly affecting pituitary gland)

Causes of secondary hypopituitarism (affecting the hypothalamus)

Pituitary tumors

Inadequate blood supply to pituitary gland (stroke)

Infections and/or inflammatory diseases

Sarcoidosis. A rare inflammation of the lymph nodes and other tissues throughout the body

Amyloidosis.A rare disease which causes the buildup of amyloid, a protein and starch, in tissues and organs

Radiation therapy

Surgical removal of pituitary tissue

Autoimmune diseases

Head trauma

Genetic diseases

Tumors of the hypothalamus

Inflammatory disease or a disease that spreads, such as cancer

Head injuries

Surgical damage to thehypothalamusand/or blood vessels or nerves leading to it

Symptoms of several underactive glands may help adoctor diagnose hypopituitarism. In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for hypopituitarism may include:

Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan).A noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images of the body to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary X-ray.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).A noninvasive procedure that produces two-dimensional views of an internal organ or structure.

Blood and urine tests.These tests will measure various hormone levels.

Treatment of hypopituitarism depends on its cause. The goal of treatment is to restore the pituitary gland to normal function when possible, or to replace or substitute for inadequate hormones when necessary.

Treatment may include replacement hormone therapy, surgical tumor removal, and/or radiation therapy.

View post: Hypopituitarism Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

There are notable differences between the terms hypopituitarism and panhypopituitarism. Hypopituitarism is a rare condition that refers to a decrease of function of two or more hormones produced by the pituitary gland. When all pituitary hormone production is deficient or decreased, the term Panhypopituitarism is used. Both Hypopituitarism and Panhypopituitarism are very complicated. They involved many endocrine functions and hormones.

The Introduction will help you understand the differences withspecific details.

Introduction Panhypopituitarism

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Continued here: The MAGIC Foundation Panhypopituitarism General Information

Sedentary Work Exerting up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of the arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most the time, the job is rated Light Work.

Medium Work Exerting up to 50 (22.7 kg) pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of forces constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work Exerting up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Very Heavy Work Exerting in excess of 100 pounds (45.4 kg) of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of force constantly to move objects.

Job Classification

In most duration tables, five job classifications are displayed. These job classifications are based on the amount of physical effort required to perform the work. The classifications correspond to the Strength Factor classifications described in the United States Department of Labors Dictionary of Occupational Titles. The following definitions are quoted directly from that publication.

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