Weight gain is a symptom of hypopituitarism in some people as well as possible fatigue, confusion, constipation, dry skin and problems with cold temperatures.
The most common cause of hypopituitarism in adults is pituitary adenomas which is a benign and non cancerous tumor.
The cause of hypopituitarism is the pituitary gland not making enough of certain hormones which can be a result of surgery, injury, or bleeding, or very slowly, over several months or even over several years.
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland is not active enough.
When you have hypopituitarism the pituitary gland does not make enough hormones.
Hypopituitarism can directly affect the pituitary gland. Or it can indirectly affect the gland through changes in the hypothalamus.
Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on which hormones the pituitary gland is not making enough of.
The symptoms of hypopituitarism include.
Hot flashes.
Irregular periods or no periods.
Loss of pubic hair.
Not being able to make milk for breastfeeding.
Not being able to get or keep an erection, known as erectile dysfunction.
Decreased facial or body hair.
Mood changes.
Fatigue.
Hypopituitarism is an underactive pituitary gland that results in deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones.
Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on what hormone is deficient and may include short height, infertility, intolerance to cold, fatigue, and an inability to produce breast milk.
One of the most common causes of primary hypopituitarism is a pituitary adenoma (a benign, or noncancerous, tumor).
Hypopituitarism is usually permanent.
It requires lifelong treatment with one or more medicines.
But you can expect a normal life span.
It is essential that the condition is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, because untreated hypopituitarism has the potential to lead to permanent disability or death.
A pituitary tumor headache can feel like an aching pain on one or both sides of the forehead.
This can happen when the tumor affects your pituitary gland's ability to produce and secrete hormones the way it's supposed to.
Headaches can also occur if the tumor puts pressure on the pituitary gland and surrounding areas.
The goal of treatment is to return the pituitary gland to normal function.
Treatment may include hormone replacement therapy, surgery to remove a tumor, or radiation therapy.
The diagnosis of hypopituitarism is made by measuring basal hormone levels in the morning fasting status or performing stimulation tests if necessary.
Six anterior pituitary hormones (GH, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH, and ACTH) as well as target hormones can be measured via sensitive and reliable immunoassay techniques.
Hypopituitarism classically develops in sequential order with the secretion of growth hormone, then gonadotrophins being affected first, subsequently followed by TSH and ACTH.
Prolactin deficiency is rarely seen, except in Sheehan's syndrome which is associated with failure of lactation.