What causes Hypopituitarism?

Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder where the pituitary gland stops make enough hormones. Hormones produced by the pituitary gland are essential to control the function of other glands in the human body like ovaries, testes, thyroid gland,s and adrenal glands. Additionally, the pituitary gland produces hormones that have a direct effect on the body like growth hormone & antidiuretic hormone.

There are several reasons for Hypopituitarism including the following:

1. Pituitary adenoma
2. Brain infections
3. Brain inflammation infiltration
4. Vascular etiology and bleeding
5. Radiation-induced hypopituitarism
6. Brain physical trauma
7. Congenital hypopituitarism
8. Pituitary surgery

Each patient is unique in the type of symptoms that will show depending on the hormones that are affected. Usually, three or more hormones are deficient. Nine hormones are produced by the pituitary gland where each one has its unique function:

1. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol.
2. Prolactin (PRL): Stimulates the breasts to produce milk.
3. Growth hormone (GH): stimulate linear growth of the body
4. Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH): Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys.
5. Luteinizing hormone (LH): Stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.
6. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.
7. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine.
8. Oxytocin: regulate uterine contractions during pregnancy and birth and subsequent release of breast milk after delivery.

Diagnosis of Hypopituitarism could be done easily through hormonal blood tests and scanning of the brain.

Usually, treatment is done through compensating for reduced hormone and treating the underlying disease. Some patients may need to take hormonal supplant life long.