32
related lesions. In this condition patient may ingest large amounts of fluid and
excrete large amounts (3–30 L/day) of very dilute urine. Nocturia almost always
occurs. If the urine lost is not continuously replenished, dehydration and insufficient
blood volume may occur rapidly [57].
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a rare disease which occurs as a result of decrease secretion of
one or more pituitary hormones. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including
inadequate supply of blood to the pituitary gland, certain inflammatory diseases, or
pituitary tumors. Pituitary gland is mostly affected by:
• Inadequate supply of blood to the pituitary gland (due to anemia, blood clots,
severe bleeding, or other conditions)
• Pituitary tumors
• Tumors of the hypothalamus
• Causes affecting primarily the hypothalamus, which then affects the pituitary
• Deficiencies of hypothalamic hormones
• Inflammatory disorders (such as sarcoidosis)
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Inflammation of the pituitary due to anticancer monoclonal antibody drugs (ipilimumab or related drugs)
• Inflammatory disorders
• Head injuries
• Surgical removal of pituitary tissue
• Irradiation (as for a brain tumor)
• Surgical destruction of the pituitary or the blood vessels or nerves leading to it
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on hormones that are lacking, and may
contain short stature, intolerance to colds, fatigue, infertility, and failure to produce breast milk. Although the symptoms sometimes start suddenly and intensely,
but they usually develop progressively and may not be recognized for a long
time. The symptoms depend on which pituitary hormones are insufficient. In
some cases, the production of a hormone in the pituitary is reduced. More typically, the levels of several hormones decline simultaneously (pancreatic hypofunction) [55].
A. Ahsan et al.
related lesions. In this condition patient may ingest large amounts of fluid and
excrete large amounts (3–30 L/day) of very dilute urine. Nocturia almost always
occurs. If the urine lost is not continuously replenished, dehydration and insufficient
blood volume may occur rapidly [57].
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a rare disease which occurs as a result of decrease secretion of
one or more pituitary hormones. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including
inadequate supply of blood to the pituitary gland, certain inflammatory diseases, or
pituitary tumors. Pituitary gland is mostly affected by:
• Inadequate supply of blood to the pituitary gland (due to anemia, blood clots,
severe bleeding, or other conditions)
• Pituitary tumors
• Tumors of the hypothalamus
• Causes affecting primarily the hypothalamus, which then affects the pituitary
• Deficiencies of hypothalamic hormones
• Inflammatory disorders (such as sarcoidosis)
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Inflammation of the pituitary due to anticancer monoclonal antibody drugs (ipilimumab or related drugs)
• Inflammatory disorders
• Head injuries
• Surgical removal of pituitary tissue
• Irradiation (as for a brain tumor)
• Surgical destruction of the pituitary or the blood vessels or nerves leading to it
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of hypopituitarism depend on hormones that are lacking, and may
contain short stature, intolerance to colds, fatigue, infertility, and failure to produce breast milk. Although the symptoms sometimes start suddenly and intensely,
but they usually develop progressively and may not be recognized for a long
time. The symptoms depend on which pituitary hormones are insufficient. In
some cases, the production of a hormone in the pituitary is reduced. More typically, the levels of several hormones decline simultaneously (pancreatic hypofunction) [55].
A. Ahsan et al.