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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffHypopituitarism is often progressive. Although the signs and symptoms can occur suddenly, they more often develop gradually. They are sometimes subtle and may be overlooked for months or even years.
Signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism vary, depending on which pituitary hormones are deficient and how severe the deficiency is. They may include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Decreased sex drive
- Sensitivity to cold or difficulty staying warm
- Decreased appetite
- Facial puffiness
- Anemia
- Infertility
- Hot flashes, irregular or no periods, loss of pubic hair, and inability to produce milk for breast-feeding in women
- Decreased facial or body hair in men
- Short stature in children
When to see a doctor
If you develop signs and symptoms associated with hypopituitarism, see your doctor to determine the cause.
Also, if certain signs or symptoms of hypopituitarism develop suddenly — a severe headache, visual disturbances, confusion or a drop in blood pressure — contact your doctor immediately. Such signs and symptoms could represent sudden bleeding into the pituitary gland (pituitary apoplexy), which requires prompt medical attention.
- Generalized hypopituitarism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch151/ch151c.html. Accessed July 22, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Clinical manifestations of hypopituitarism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Causes of hypopituitarism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Treatment of hypopituitarism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Growth disorders treatment options. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/Growth/treatment.cfm. Accessed July 22, 2010.
- Aron DC, et al. Hypothalamus & pituitary gland. In: Gardner GD, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2628445. Accessed July 22, 2010.
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