Hypopituitarism

Deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones.

Variable presentation depending on cause.

Symptoms include headaches, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and visual field defects.

Treatment depends on correction of the underlying cause. Where causes are not correctable, treatment focuses on replacing the target hormones.

Patients who require cortisol for adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency require increased dosage in times of stress (such as infection, trauma, and surgery).

Hypopituitarism refers to the partial or complete deficiency of one or more pituitary hormones. It may arise as a congenital defect during the development of the pituitary gland or as a result of acquired diseases of the pituitary gland, the parasellar structures, or the hypothalamus.