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Hypopituitarism

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
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The pituitary gland Overview of the Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is a pea-sized bit of tissue at the bottom of your brain. Glands are organs that make and release hormones into your blood. Hormones are chemicals that stimulate other cells... read more is a pea-sized bit of tissue at the bottom of your brain. Glands are organs that make and release hormones into your blood. Hormones are chemicals that stimulate other cells or tissues into action. The pituitary gland puts out many different hormones. Each one controls different other glands and body functions.

The Pituitary and Hypothalamus
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Locating the Pituitary Gland

Locating the Pituitary Gland

What is hypopituitarism?

  • Hypopituitarism is uncommon

  • Causes of hypopituitarism include tumors in your pituitary gland, not enough blood supply to your pituitary gland, or certain diseases

  • Symptoms usually start slowly over time and vary depending on which hormones you don't have enough of

  • Doctors treat the cause of hypopituitarism and give you medicine to raise your hormone levels

What causes hypopituitarism?

Causes of hypopituitarism include:

Sometimes there's a problem with only one pituitary hormone. Other times, you have a problem with many or all of the hormones.

What are the symptoms of hypopituitarism?

Symptoms usually start little by little. Which symptoms you have depend on which hormones you lack.

Symptoms can include:

  • In children, lack of growth

  • In women, lack of menstrual periods and vaginal dryness

  • In men, shrinking testicles and erectile dysfunction

  • Confusion, weight gain, and constipation

  • Weakness, low blood sugar, and feeling stressed

  • Not being able to make breast milk after having a baby

How can doctors tell if I have hypopituitarism?

How do doctors treat hypopituitarism?

Doctors treat hypopituitarism with:

  • Treatment for whatever is causing your hypopituitarism (for example, surgery or radiation to remove or destroy a pituitary tumor)

  • Replacing the hormones your pituitary isn't making enough of

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