MEW, please don’t erase this post. Some of us might have this condition. Doctors are discarding this diagnosis because there are no records of a prescribed medication causing this. The common cause of this condition is pituitary tumor, and most of us were required to do MRI s to check this.
STEP 1. Check for deficiency of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol; which is a substance that controls blood pressure, blood sugar, functions of the heart and also helps the body’s immune system in coping up with stress. In hypopituitarism, decrease secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone occurs. This will result to excessive fatigue, low blood pressure (hypotension), abnormal decrease of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), anorexia and weight loss, headache, abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting, and impaired consciousness, which may lead to shock.
STEP 2. Observe an abnormal growth pattern. Depletion of growth hormones (GH) will result to retardation of growth (short stature) in children. In adults, deficiency of growth hormones may not affect height since the patient’s bones may already be fully grown when hypopituitarism occur. However, adults will still experience symptoms such as imbalance in the distribution of fat and muscle tissues–fat accumulation increases while muscle tissues are reduced, decrease tolerance in doing exercise due to a reduced energy or generalized weakness, wound healing is poor and reduced social functioning.
STEP 3. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have secondary hypothyroidism. When secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is decreased, it will lead to an impaired function of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Secondary hypothyroidism manifests the same symptoms of the primary disease in the thyroid, but only less severe. Its symptoms include: impaired mental status resulting to confusion and altered memory, fatigue and general weakness, reduced tolerance to cold temperature, constipation, hair loss and dry skin, and anemia (decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin count).
STEP 4. Notice your water intake and output. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) controls the balance of water in the body by regulating the production of urine. Deficiency of this hormone due to hypopituitarism, causes the distal tubules of the kidney to ineffectively absorb water, resulting to a condition known as diabetes insipidus. This is characterized by manifestations of excessive urine secretion (polyuria) and abnormal thirst (polydipsia). If in an instance where water output (urine) is greater than water intake, the blood pressure of the patients becomes abnormally low. There will also be decrease in the volume of the circulating blood (hypovolemia) associated with an elevated amount of sodium in the blood (hypernatremia).
STEP 5 Try to observe if you have decreased secretion of gonadotropins. Gonadotropins serve as a collective term for the luteinizing hormone b[/b] and the follicle-stimulating hormone b[/b]. Deficiency of these hormones in hypopituitarism, will result to occurrence of symptoms common to both men and women including increase in the risk of having osteoporosis (decreased in bone density), decrease in libido or sex drive, infertility, and decrease hair growth in the armpits, pubic area, and body hair. Specific symptoms in women are abnormal absence or suppression of menstrual cycle (amenorrhea), vaginal dryness, hot flashes, decrease in the size of the breasts (breast atrophy), and difficult or painful intercourse (dyspareunia). Symptoms that are specific in men are erectile dysfunction, decreased erection and ejaculation, wasting away of the testes (testicular atrophy), decrease facial hair, soft testes, abnormal development of male breasts (gynecomastia), muscle weakness, and fatigue. Children may develop eunuchoidism which is marked by lack of sexual development and by the presence of certain characteristics that are typical to those of the opposite sex.
Step 6 Try to observe if there is decrease lactation. A reduced production of breast milk is typical if secretion of hormones prolactin and oxytocin are affected. Another function of oxytocin is to help in contracting the uterus during labor. This type of function is amazingly preserved since women who lack oxytocin are still capable of having a normal delivery.
Step 7 Consult your doctor if you have undergone symptoms of pan-hypopituitarism. This is a condition where in there is a complete malfunction of the entire pituitary gland. As a result, the patient will experience all the symptoms mentioned above because every single secretion of the hormones are affected. In addition to all hormone deficiency symptoms, the patient will also have pale and dry skin and existence of fine wrinkles surrounding the face.
HOW TO TREAT HYPOPITUITARISM
Know the symptoms. Since Hypopituitarism can be caused by many different hormonal disturbances, it can be difficult to diagnose. Many symptoms are typical of other illnesses, such as abdominal pain and joint stiffness. Symptoms that may clue you in are loss of underarm and pubic hair, hoarseness, facial swelling, feeling very thirsty, low blood pressure, and an increase or decrease in weight that is unexplainable.
Step 2 See your doctor. A full examination necessary. Most likely your family doctor will refer you to a specialist. Follow though if your doctor makes this referral. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormonal problems. Screening includes lab work to determine what your hormone levels are, CT scan, MRI and eye examination.
Step 3 Establish a treatment plan. Radical treatment could include surgery to remove a pituitary tumor (That is the point we need to discuss with doctors, the possibility of Propecia causing this, not a tumor). The most common forms of treatment are medications that establish normal hormone levels. The hormone (or hormones) that you are deficient in will determine what medication you take.
Step 4 Take your medication. Hypopituitarism is a life long condition. Prescribed medications may include Desmopressin, Levothyroxine, sex hormones, corticosteroids and growth hormone.
Step 5 Follow up regularly with your doctor. If you are taking medications for endocrine disorders, you will need to have regular blood work done. Lab tests monitor hormone levels so your doctor knows whether you are getting enough, too much or not enough of the prescribed medication.
