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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDiagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome can be difficult. Your doctor may base the diagnosis in part on your medical history, so it's important to mention any childbirth complications you may have had, no matter how long ago you gave birth. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you didn't produce breast milk or you failed to start menstruating after delivery — two key signs of Sheehan's syndrome.
If your history and signs and symptoms suggest pituitary insufficiency, you'll have blood tests to check your pituitary hormone levels. You may need specialized stimulation testing of the pituitary hormones, which typically is done after consulting an endocrinologist.
You may also need imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography, to check the size of your pituitary and to look for other possible reasons for your symptoms, such as a pituitary tumor.
- Snyder PJ. Causes of hypopituitarism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2010.
- Nieman LK. Clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2010.
- Montoro MN. Thyroid and other endocrine disorders during pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2387051. Accessed Nov. 13, 2010.
- Generalized hypopituitarism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch151/ch151c.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
- Pituitary disorders overview. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/Pituitary/overview.cfm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Treatment of hypopituitarism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
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