]]>

Definition

The pituitary gland is in the brain. It produces important hormones. In hypopituitarism]]> the gland does not produce enough hormones. In panhypopituitarism the gland does not produce any hormones. The pituitary gland shuts down. It is most noticeable in children. Their growth is stunted. Dwarfism can occur.

Pituitary Gland

Nucleus factsheet image
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

]]>

Causes

This condition is most often caused by damage to the gland.

In children, damage to the pituitary gland may be caused by:

  • Infection
  • Stroke]]>
  • Genetic factors
  • ]]>Tumor]]> on the pituitary gland
  • Cancer that has spread
  • Injury
  • No known cause

]]>

Risk Factors

The following factors increase your chance of developing panhypopituitarism:

  • Receiving damage to the pituitary gland (eg, trauma, radiation]]> , cancer spread, ]]>postpartum hemorrhage]]> )
  • Having a tumor on the pituitary gland

]]>

Symptoms

Symptoms arise from:

Compression From Tumor

  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of visual field
  • Poor temperature control

Insufficient Hormones

  • Insufficient levels of gonadotropins
    • In premenopausal women causes: missing menstrual cycles, infertility]]> , ]]>osteoporosis]]> , vaginal dryness, as well as loss or reduction in female characteristics
    • In men causes: ]]>impotence]]> , reduced size of testes, decreased production of sperm, ]]>infertility]]> , breast enlargement, reduced muscle mass, and loss or reduction in male characteristics (eg, beard growth)
  • Insufficient levels of growth hormone
    • In children causes: stunted growth or dwarfism
    • In adults causes: weakness, ]]>obesity]]> , reduced cardiac output, low blood sugar levels, and reduced exercise tolerance
  • Insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones
    • Leads to ]]>underactive thyroid]]> , which causes confusion, hair loss, weakness, slow heart rate, muscle stiffness, intolerance to cold, ]]>constipation]]> , weight gain, and dry skin
  • Insufficient corticotrophic levels
    • Leads to underactive adrenal gland: causes low blood pressure, ]]>low blood sugar]]> , fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and low stress tolerance
  • Excessive prolactin levels
    • Causes women to have missed periods, infertility, and milk secretion
    • Men causes: reduced facial and body hair and small testes
]]>

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include the following:

  • MRI scan]]> —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
  • Blood tests—to measure hormone levels
  • Stimulation tests—to test the reserve of the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary gland
  • Semen analysis—in males suspected of infertility

]]>

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. The goal of treatment is to restore normal hormone production of the pituitary gland.

Treatment options include:

  • Hormone replacement therapy—based on what types of hormones are missing
  • Tumor removal—done if the cause of the damage is a tumor
  • Radiation therapy]]> —done if the cause of the damage is a cancer or tumor

Prevention

The majority of causes are not preventable. Injury prevention can prevent some cases.