The pituitary gland is found at the base of the brain. It produces several important hormones that control the production of other hormones made by glands in the body. In panhypopituitarism, the gland produces an insufficient amount of hormones.
This condition is most often caused by damage to the gland. In adults, it is usually a result of pituitary surgery. In children, damage to the pituitary gland may be caused by:
In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
Factors that may increase your chance of panhypopituitarism include:
Compression of the Tumor
Compression of the tumor on local structures, especially the nerves of the eyes, can cause:
- Blurred vision
- Loss of visual field
- Poor temperature control
Insufficient levels of gonadotropins
- In premenopausal women—missed menstrual cycles, infertility , osteoporosis , vaginal dryness, loss or reduction in female characteristics
- In men—erectile dysfunction, reduced size of testes, decreased production of sperm, infertility , breast enlargement, reduced muscle mass, loss or reduction in male characteristics like beard growth
Insufficient levels of growth hormone
- In children—stunted growth or dwarfism
- In adults—weakness, obesity , reduced cardiac output, low blood sugar levels, and reduced exercise tolerance
- Insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones can lead to:
Insufficient corticotrophic levels
can lead to:
- Underactive adrenal gland, which causes low blood pressure, low blood sugar , fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and low stress tolerance (this can be life-threatening).
Excessive prolactin levels
- In women—missed periods, infertility, and milk secretion
- In men—reduced facial and body hair, small testes
- Insufficient antidiuretic hormone (rare) can cause:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Night-time urination
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
- Blood tests—to measure pituitary, as well as target gland hormone levels
- Stimulation tests—to test the maximum capacity of the endocrine glands, usually of the pituitary gland
- Semen analysis—in males suspected of infertility
- MRI scan—imaging test used to assess internal structures
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 blood hormone levels of thyroid, adrenal, estrogen or testosterone, and sometimes growth hormone.
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
- Reviewer: Kim Carmichael, MD
- Review Date: 02/2016 -
- Update Date: 03/01/2013 -