Hypopituitarism Pituitary Gland Problem Causes Sexual and Growth Hormone Disorder Symptoms
Hypopituitarism is a pituitary gland production problem with some or all of its hormones. This extremely tiny gland wields tremendous hormonal control and stimulation power for a healthy functioning body.
Hypopituitarism disorder causes hormonal short supply affecting so many routine functions, notably growth and sexual related activities. A healthy pituitary gland releases these following highly influential hormones:
- antidiuretic hormone (ADH) ~ controls hydration
- growth hormone (GH) ~ stimulates tissue & bone growth
- prolactin ~ stimulates breast development & milk production
- luteinizing hormone (LH) ~ controls sexual function & fertility
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ~ controls sexual function & fertility
- oxytocin ~ stimulates uterus contractions during labor & breast milk release
- thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) ~ stimulates the thyroid gland to release hormones that influences metabolism
- adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) ~ stimulates adrenal gland to release cortisol to help maintain blood pressure & blood sugar
Hypopituitarism is a rare, often progressive disorder. Although you may notice a problem suddenly, your previous symptoms may have been vague and therefore disregarded.
Because symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on which pituitary hormones are deficient, any combination of these broad range of symptoms may occur:
- thirst
- nausea
- fatigue
- hair loss
- headache
- weakness
- hoarseness
- weight loss
- weight gain
- amenorrhea
- constipation
- hypothermia
- joint stiffness
- voice changes
- facial swelling
- cold sensitivity
- abdominal pain
- lack of sex drive
- stress intolerance
- decreased appetite
- infertility ~ women
- low blood pressure
- visual disturbances
- excessive urination
- erectile dysfunction
- exercise intolerance
- body, facial hair ~ men
- no breast milk production
- lightheaded upon standing
- armpit, pubic hair loss ~ women
Children experiencing hypopituitarism may have symptoms of:
- short stature
- stunted growth
- slowed sexual development
Hypopituitarism is often set off by a pituitary gland tumor. The growth of this tumor interferes with hormone production. If your hypopituitarism is caused by a tumor, surgical removal may be necessary.
No tumor. Then some underlying causes for hypopituitarism can be other diseases, disorders or problems that damage your pituitary, like:
- stroke
- radiation
- brain tumor
- tuberculosis
- head trauma
- hypophysitis
- brain surgery
- burst aneurysm
- hypothalamus problems
- brain infections ~ meningitis
Once in awhile, hypopituitarism is due to a rare immune system or metabolic diseases, such as:
- sarcoidosis
- histiocytosis X
- hemochromatosis
- Sheehan’s syndrome ~ post pregnancy complication
In many cases, hypopituitarism symptoms can be controlled with lifelong hormone replacement treatment. This might involve taking:
- growth hormone
- thyroid hormone
- corticosteroids (cortisol)
- estrogen ~ female sexual hormone
- testosterone ~ male sexual hormone
Although hypopituitarism is usually permanent, no reason not to expect a life of good health.
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