What is hypopituitarism?
Definition Hypopituitarism is loss of function in an endocrine gland due to failure of the pituitary gland to secrete hormones which stimulate that gland’s function. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. Patients diagnosed with hypopituitarism may be deficient in one single hormone, several hormones, or have complete pituitary failure. Description The pituitary is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, and surrounded by bone. The hypothalamus, another endocrine organ in the brain, controls the function of the pituitary gland by providing “hormonal orders.” In turn, the pituitary gland regulates the many hormones that control various functions and organs within the body. The posterior pituitary acts as a sort of storage area for the hypothalamus and passes on hormones that control function of the muscles and kidneys. The anterior pituitary produces its own hormones which help to regulate several endocrine functions.
Pituitary gland is an important gland which secretes many hormones. If this hormone is unable to produce normal amounts of all or some hormones then condition is called hypopituitarism. Pituitary gland secretes ACTH, FSH, LH, ADH, GH, TSH, oxytocin and prolactin. Person with hypopituitarism can have deficiency of few or all hormones. This condition can develope from head injury, stroke, radiation, pituitary tumors or hypothalamus tumors, infection of the brain tissues, brain surgery, brain tumors, some diseases like Histiocytosis X, Sarcoidosis, Hemochromatosis can also cause this condition. Treatment of hypopituitarism depends upon underlying cause and may include, surgery, radiation and hormones replacement.
The pituitary gland produces many of the hormones that help you feel well. Hypopituitarism is a disorder in which all or part of the pituitary gland does not work as it should, possibly resulting in a lack of certain hormones. This may have a negative effect on the function of one or more of your body systems.
