Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypopituitarism in Adults

Hypopituitarism is characterized by total or partial loss of anterior and posterior pituitary gland function due to hypophyseal or hypothalamic diseases. It causes adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency and rarely diabetes insipidus. The most common causes of primary hypopituitarism are pituitary adenomas and complications from surgery or radiation therapy for the treatment of pituitary adenoma. Clinical findings are frequently associated with severity of hormonal deficits. However hypopituitarism generally remains clinically silent until a stressful event such as a concurrent infection or trauma. Because of the increased morbidity and mortality, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is important. Patients should be monitored for long-term and avoided under- or overtreatment