PITUITARY GLAND, UNDERACTIVE

General Information

DEFINITION--

Underactivity of the pituitary gland, resulting in inadequate amounts of hormones produced by the pituitary. The anterior lobe of the pituitary produces the following hormones:

• Growth hormone.
• Prolactin, which stimulates breasts to produce milk.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone.
• Adrenal-stimulating hormone.
• Ovarian- or testicular-stimulating hormones. The posterior lobe of the pituitary gland produces two hormones:
• Antidiuretic hormone, which affects the kidneys in regulating concentration and quantity of urine.
• Oxytocin, which stimulates contractions of the uterus during childbirth and releases milk during breast-feeding.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Pituitary gland and body parts mentioned above.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Menstrual irregularities.
• Impotence; infertility.
• Low blood sugar and weakness; low blood pressure.
• Intolerance to cold and stress.
• Retarded growth in children (evident after age 6 months).
• Lack of secondary sexual features that develop in puberty, such as voice changes, breast development and growth of pubic hair.
• Mental changes, including psychosis.
• Extreme lethargy.
• Persistent headaches.
• Increased quantity and frequency of urination.

CAUSES

• Unknown (sometimes).
• Serious head injury with pressure (usually from bleeding) on the pituitary gland.
• Reduced blood supply to the pituitary gland in a mother following severe hemorrhage and shock during childbirth.
• Tumor of the pituitary gland.
• Infection in the brain.
• Aneurysm of blood vessels in the base of the brain.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Family history of pituitary disorders.
• Pregnancy.

HOW TO PREVENT--Obtain medical treatment for any underlying injury, infection or tumor, if possible.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood studies of hormone levels and function.
• CT scan (See Glossary) of the head, x-ray of the skull.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Treatment is aimed at treating the cause of the pituitary failure and providing adequate hormone replacement.
• Surgery to remove underlying tumors or blood clots, if necessary.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Hormonal failure with serious consequences without treatment.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually treatable with surgery or replacement therapy of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• This disorder requires close medical supervision and continuing treatment.
• Wear a Medic-Alert (See Glossary) bracelet or neck pendant indicating your hormone deficiencies and their proper treatment.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Hormones to replace those the pituitary is not producing.
• Pain relievers after surgery.
• Antibiotics or antiviral medications, if infection is causing the disorder.

ACTIVITY--Stay as active as your condition allows. A regular exercise program is encouraged. Consult your doctor.

DIET--No special diet.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of an underactive pituitary gland.
• After surgery, you develop signs of infection, such as fever, lethargy and muscle aches.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.