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Hypopituitarism - Treatment

Alternative Names

Pituitary insufficiency

Treatment:

If hypopituitarism is caused by a tumor, you may need surgery to remove the tumor, with or without radiation therapy. It is often necessary to replace hormones that are lacking, even after successful treatment of a pituitary tumor.

Hormone therapy is needed to replace hormones that are no longer made by organs under the control of the pituitary gland. These may include:

Corticosteroids (cortisol)
Growth hormone
Sex hormones (testosterone for men and estrogen for women)
Thyroid hormone

Drugs are also available to treat related infertility in men and women.

Expectations (prognosis):

Hypopituitarism is usually permanent and requires lifelong treatment. However, you can expect a normal life span.

Complications:

Side effects of drug therapy can develop. In severe illness, failing to take extra corticosteroids can be life-threatening.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of hypopituitarism.

Reviewed last on: 3/18/2008
Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior pituitary. In: Kronenberg H, Melmed S, Polonsky K, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.

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