Hypopituitarism

Differential Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Mary Lee Vance
Chapter
Part of the Contemporary Endocrinology book series (COE, volume 3)

Abstract

Hypopituitarism refers to the congenital absence or acquired loss of pituitary hormone secretion, which may be an isolated deficiency or multiple hormone deficiencies. The diagnosis of pituitary hormone deficiency can usually be made in the outpatient setting with a combination of the clinical assessment and hormone measurements. Hypopituitarism is most commonly acquired, and occurs most often with pituitary disease, usually a benign adenoma. Pituitary failure may also result from treatment of the adenoma (surgery, radiation). Causes of pituitary hormone deficiency are listed in Table 1 (1–23). The loss of pituitary function has numerous effects, depending on which hormone or hormones is/are deficient. Table 2 lists the hypothalamic and pituitary hormones and target organs. It is apparent from this list that some deficiencies can be life threatening, i.e., adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) deficiency results in adrenal insufficiency, thyrotropin (TSH) deficiency results in hypothyroidism. Loss of the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produce hypogonadism and infertility. If the posterior pituitary is compromised, diabetes insipidus (DI) results in polyuria and polydipsia; if the patient does not ingest adequate fluid, the resultant volume depletion and hypernatremia can be severe.

Keywords

Luteinizing Hormone Pituitary Adenoma Diabetes Insipidus Adrenal Insufficiency Thyrotropin Release Hormone 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Humana Press Inc. 1997

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  • Mary Lee Vance

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