Hypophysitis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Hypophysitis
Diagram of the human brain showing the location of the pituitary gland
Synonyms	Inflammation of the pituitary gland
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, visual disturbances, hormonal imbalances
Complications	Hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency
Onset	Variable
Duration	Chronic or acute
Types	Lymphocytic hypophysitis, granulomatous hypophysitis, xanthomatous hypophysitis
Causes	Autoimmune disease, infection, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis
Risks	Pregnancy, autoimmune disorders
Diagnosis	MRI, CT scan, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Pituitary adenoma, Rathke's cleft cyst, craniopharyngioma
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, surgery, hormone replacement therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depending on type and treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Hypophysitis is an inflammation of the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. This condition can cause the pituitary gland to produce too little of its hormones, which can affect many body functions. Hypophysitis is a rare disorder and its exact cause is often unknown.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hypophysitis can vary greatly depending on the severity of the inflammation and the hormones affected. Common symptoms can include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Sexual dysfunction
• Menstrual irregularities

Causes

The exact cause of hypophysitis is often unknown. However, it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the pituitary gland. Other possible causes can include:

• Infection
• Tumor
• Radiation therapy
• Certain medications

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hypophysitis often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, blood tests to measure hormone levels, and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan to visualize the pituitary gland.

Treatment

Treatment for hypophysitis typically involves managing the symptoms and replacing the hormones that the pituitary gland is not producing in sufficient amounts. This can include medications such as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and hormone replacement therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove a tumor or to relieve pressure on the pituitary gland.

See also

• Pituitary gland
• Autoimmune disease
• Hormone replacement therapy