Table 1 Symptoms and Signs of Pituitary Hormone Deficiency. With permission from the Pituitary Society
From: Nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma: a case report from the patient perspective
Pituitary Hormone | Target Organs | Effect of Deficiency |
|---|---|---|
ACTH | Adrenal glands: cortisol and DHEA | Fatigue, low sodium in blood, weight loss, skin pallor |
TSH | Thyroid gland: thyroid hormone | Fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, sensitivity to cold, constipation |
LH and FSH in Women | Ovaries: estrogen, progesterone; ovulation | Loss of periods, loss of sex drive, infertility |
LH and FSH in Men | Testes: testosterone, sperm production | Loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, impotence, infertility |
GH in Children & Adolescents | Bone, muscle, fat | Lack of growth (height); increased body fat, failure to achieve normal peak bone mass |
GH in Adults | Whole body | Poor quality of life, increased body fat, decreased muscle and bone mass |
PRL | Breast | Inability to breast feed |
Oxytocin | Breast, Uterus | Complete deficiency could make breast feeding difficult |
Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) | Kidney | Frequent urination (day & night), dilute urine, excessive thirst |