is a medical term describing deficiency (''hypo'') of one or more
Hormone s of the
Pituitary Gland . The pituitary produces a number of important regulating
Hormone s, and its function is mainly regulated by the
Hypothalamus . In
Endocrinology , deficiency of multiple hormones of the anterior lobe is generally referred to as ''hypopituitarism'', while deficiency of the posterior lobe generally only leads to
Diabetes Insipidus . If both lobes malfunction, the term '''panhypopituitarism''' (''generalised'' hypopituitarism) is used.
The primary hormones of the anterior pituitary are
Protein s and include
The posterior pituitary produces
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and
Oxytocin , the former regulating plasma
Osmolarity and the latter regulating
Uterine Contractions during
Childbirth .
Growth hormone is often the first hormone lost, so most people with hypopituitarism lack GH as well as one or more others. As for the posterior pituitary, ADH deficiency is the main problem, while oxytocin deficiency rarely causes clinically significant problems.
Hypopituitarism and panhypopituitarism can be congenital or acquired. A partial list of causes and forms:
Hypopituitarism may come to medical attention by symptoms or features of pituitary hormone deficiency (e.g., poor
Growth ,
Hypoglycemia ,
Micropenis ,
Delayed Puberty ,
Polyuria ,
Impaired Libido ,
Fatigue , and many others), or because the physician has diagnosed one of the many disorders and conditions associated with hypopituitarism listed above and tests for it.
Hypopituitarism and panhypopituitarism are treated by replacement of appropriate hormones. Since the most of the anterior pituitary hormones are
Protein s released in pulsatile patterns, whose functions are to induce secretion of smaller molecule hormones (
Thyroid hormones and
Steroid s), it is simpler and less expensive for most purposes to simply replace the target gland hormones. There are a few exceptions, such as fertility induction.
