Panhypopituitarism is a rare disease that corresponds to the decrease or lack of production of several hormones due to the alteration in the pituitary gland, which is a gland located in the brain responsible for regulating several other glands in the body and, thus, leading to the production of hormones essential for the proper functioning of the organism.
The lack of hormones can lead to the appearance of several symptoms, such as weight loss, alteration of the menstrual cycle, reduced height, excessive tiredness and fertility problems, for example. Thus, the main way to decrease the symptoms of panhypopituitarism is through hormone replacement, which should be done according to the guidance of the endocrinologist.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of panhipopituitarismo depend on which hormones are not produced or are produced in less concentration, as for example:
- Weight loss due to decreased thyroid hormones; Loss of appetite; Excessive tiredness; Mood swings; Difficulty getting pregnant and menstrual cycle dysregulation due to decreased production of female sex hormones; Decreased milk production capacity in women; Decreased stature and delayed puberty in children, as the production of growth hormone (GH) is compromised; Loss of beard and problems related to fertility in men, due to decreased testosterone production and, consequently, sperm maturation.
From the symptoms described by the person and laboratory tests that aim to measure the hormones in the blood, the endocrinologist is able to complete the diagnosis and indicate which medications the person should take.
People with panhypopituitarism are more likely to develop diabetes insipidus, which is due to decreased production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which leads to increased blood glucose concentration due to decreased water concentration, in addition to dehydration and Very thirst. Learn more about diabetes insipidus.
How the treatment is done
The treatment is done according to the guidance of the endocrinologist and is done through hormone replacement through the use of medications. As the pituitary controls the production of several hormones, it may be necessary for the person to replace:
- ACTH, also called adrenocorticotrophic hormone or corticotrophin, which is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of cortisol, which is a hormone responsible for controlling the stress response and allowing the body's physiological adaptation to new situations. Understand what cortisol is for; TSH, also called thyroid-stimulating hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for stimulating the thyroid to produce hormones T3 and T4, which play key roles in metabolism; LH, known as luteinizing hormone, which stimulates the production of testosterone in men and progesterone in women, and FSH, known as follicle stimulating hormone, which allows regulation of sperm production and maturation of eggs. Thus, when there is a decrease in the production of these hormones due to problems in the pituitary gland, for example, there is a decrease in the fertility of men and women in addition to hair loss and deregulation of the menstrual cycle, for example. Learn more about the hormone FSH; GH, known as growth hormone or somatotropin, is produced by the pituitary gland and is responsible for the growth of children and adolescents, in addition to assisting in the body's metabolic functions.
In addition, due to changes in mood due to hormonal changes, the doctor may recommend the use of mild antidepressants and even anxiolytics to decrease symptoms related to sudden mood swings.
The doctor may also recommend the replacement of calcium and potassium, which are important minerals for various metabolic processes in the body, since some hormonal changes lead to a decrease in the concentration of these minerals in the blood.
Possible causes
The most common cause of panhypopituitarism is the pituitary tumor, which, depending on the stage of the tumor, may require removal of the pituitary. However, not always that there has been a tumor in the pituitary gland means that the person will suffer from panhypopituitarism, which only happens when the gland needs to be removed.
In addition, panhypopituitarism can happen due to infections that affect the brain, such as meningitis, for example, Simmonds syndrome, which is a congenital disease, or even a consequence of the effects of radiation.
