Treatment:

Treatment depends on the cause of the hypothalamic dysfunction.

• Tumors -- surgery or radiation
• Hormonal deficiencies -- replace missing hormones

Specific treatments may be available for bleeding, infection, and other causes.

Expectations (prognosis):

Many causes of hypothalamic dysfunction are treatable. Most of the time missing hormones can be replaced.

Complications:

Complications of hypothalamic dysfunction depend on the cause.

Brain tumors:

• Permanent blindness
• Specific problems related to the brain area where the tumor occurs
• Vision disorders

Hypothyroidism:

• Heart problems
• High cholesterol

Adrenal insufficiency:

• Inability to deal with stress (such as surgery or infection)

Gonadal deficiency:

• Heart disease
• Impotence (in men)
• Infertility
• Thin bones (osteoporosis)

Growth hormone deficiency:

• High cholesterol
• Osteoporosis
• Short stature (in children)
• Weakness

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor if you have:

• Headaches
• Symptoms of hormone excess or deficiency
• Vision problems