Pituitary insufficiency

If hypopituitarism is caused by a tumor, you may need surgery to remove the tumor, with or without radiation therapy. It is often necessary to replace hormones that are lacking, even after successful treatment of a pituitary tumor.

Hormone therapy is needed to replace hormones that are no longer made by organs under the control of the pituitary gland. These may include:

• Corticosteroids (cortisol)
• Growth hormone
• Sex hormones (testosterone for men and estrogen for women)
• Thyroid hormone

Drugs are also available to treat related infertility in men and women.

Hypopituitarism is usually permanent and requires lifelong treatment. However, you can expect a normal life span.

Side effects of drug therapy can develop. In severe illness, failing to take extra corticosteroids can be life-threatening.

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of hypopituitarism.

Images

Endocrine glands

Pituitary gland

Pituitary hormones

The pituitary gland

Pituitary and TSH

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Hypopituitarism Symptoms

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Hypopituitarism Prevention

Review Date: 11/25/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)