Postpartum hypopituitarism; Postpartum pituitary insufficiency; Hypopituitarism Syndrome

Symptoms of Sheehan syndrome may include:

• Inability to breast-feed (breast milk never "comes in")
• Fatigue
• Lack of menstrual bleeding
• Loss of pubic and axillary hair
• Low blood pressure

Note: Symptoms other than inability to breast feed may not develop for several years after the delivery.

• Blood tests to measure hormone levels
• MRI of the head to rule out other pituitary problems, such as a tumor

Images

Endocrine glands

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Sheehan syndrome Overview

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Sheehan syndrome Treatment

Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. 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)