What is Hypopituitarism?

Hypopituitarism is a condition where there is an underproduction of the pituitary hormones. The term pan-hypopituitarism refers to the situation when all the pituitary hormones are underproduced. In the clinical situation, hypopituitarism usually varies depending on the dominant hormone that is underproduced.

Different hormones seem to be more susceptible by damage to the pituitary. Somatotrophin and gonadotrophin production seems to be the first to be affected, whereas thyrotrophin and corticotrophin production only seem to be affected in severe damage.