Overview
Hypopituitarism is a rare condition where your pituitary gland doesn’t make enough of the hormones you need. Hormones are like chemical messages that tell your body what to do. Pituitary hormones control things like metabolism, growth and development, and reproduction.
Your pituitary gland doesn’t act alone. It works together with your hypothalamus. This brain structure tells your pituitary gland to release certain hormones. It also regulates functions like blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and digestion. If you have a disease or injury that affects your pituitary gland or hypothalamus, you may develop hypopituitarism.
The condition can happen suddenly after an injury or develop slowly over months or years. People with it often need to take medication for the rest of their lives to manage symptoms. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely to make sure you get the right treatment.
What are the different types of hypopituitarism?
There are three different kinds of hypopituitarism based on the number of hormones that are lacking (deficient):
- Isolated pituitary deficiency: Affects one pituitary hormone.
- Multiple pituitary hormone deficiency: Affects two or more pituitary hormones.
- Panhypopituitarism: Affects all pituitary hormones.
There are three kinds of hypopituitarism based on its cause and how it affects your pituitary gland or hormones:
- Primary hypopituitarism: Damage to or disorders of your pituitary gland.
- Secondary hypopituitarism: Damage to or disorders of your hypothalamus.
- Idiopathic hypopituitarism: Cause remains undetermined.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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