Hypopituitarism

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.