Symptoms:

Pituitary infarction usually has a short period of symptoms (acute), but it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms usually include:

• Severe headache
• Paralysis of the eye muscles, causing double vision (ophthalmoplegia)
• Low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting from acute adrenal insufficiency

Less commonly, pituitary dysfunction may appear more slowly. In Sheehan syndrome, for example, the first symptom may be a failure to produce milk caused by a lack of the hormone prolactin.

Over time, problems with other pituitary hormones may develop, causing symptoms of the following conditions:

• Growth hormone deficiency
  • Fatigue
  • Increased fat in the abdomen
  • Lack of energy
• Hypoadrenalism (if not already present or treated)
  • Inability to deal with physical stress
  • Nausea
• Hypogonadism
  • Absent periods (amenorrhea) in women
  • Sexual dysfunction and loss of muscle mass in men
• Hypothyroidism
  • Cold intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Depressed mood
  • Dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Hair or skin changes
  • Hoarseness
  • Menstrual changes
  • Mental slowing
  • Weight gain

When the posterior pituitary is involved (rare), symptoms may include:

• Failure of the uterus to contract as needed to give birth to a baby (in women)
• Failure to produce breast milk (in women)
• Uncontrolled urination

Signs and tests:

Signs of acute pituitary infarction may include:

• Low blood pressure
• Visual field defects

Signs of chronic pituitary insufficiency include:

• Growth hormone deficiency
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Problems with fat metabolism (dyslipidemia)
• Hypoadrenalism
  • Low blood pressure
  • Poor response to stress and infection
• Hypothyroidism
  • Delayed reflexes

Tests may include:

• Bone density test
• Eye exams
• MRI or CT scan

Blood tests will be done to check levels of:

• ACTH
• Cholesterol
• Cortisol
• FSH
• Growth hormone
• LH
• Prolactin
• Somatomedin C (IGF-1)