Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment for Sheehan's syndrome is lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following medications:
- Corticosteroids. These drugs, such as hydrocortisone or prednisone, replace the adrenal hormones that aren't being produced because of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. You'll need to adjust your medication if you become seriously ill or experience major physical stress. During these times, your body would ordinarily produce extra cortisol — a stress hormone. The same kind of dosage fine-tuning may be necessary when you have the flu, diarrhea or vomiting, or have surgery or dental procedures. Adjustments in dosage may also be necessary during pregnancy or with marked weight gain or weight loss. It's important that your doctor closely monitor you to ensure the correct dose. Avoiding doses higher than you need will eliminate the side effects associated with high doses of corticosteroids.
- Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, others). This medication boosts deficient thyroid hormone levels caused by low or deficient thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) production. Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose, and it's relatively inexpensive. If you change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, signs and symptoms will gradually return.
- Estrogen. This may include estrogen alone if you've had your uterus removed (hysterectomy) or a combination of estrogen and progesterone if you still have your uterus. Estrogen replacement can be administered with either pills or patches. Future pregnancies may be possible with preparations containing luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), also called gonadotropins. These can be administered by injection to stimulate ovulation. Estrogen with progesterone has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke and breast cancer. Estrogen alone has been linked to stroke, blood clots in the legs and abnormalities on mammograms.
- Growth hormone. Some studies have shown that replacing growth hormone in women with Sheehan's syndrome — as well as in people with other forms of hypopituitarism — can help normalize the body's muscle-to-fat ratio, lower cholesterol levels and improve overall quality of life. Side effects may include joint stiffness and fluid retention.
Your endocrinologist is likely to test your blood regularly to make sure that you're getting adequate — but not excessive — amounts of any hormones that you take. Generally, hormone levels are checked every few weeks or months at the beginning of treatment and then once a year thereafter.
References
- 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.
Find Mayo Clinic on