Hypopituitarism

Question: Are there any diets tailored for people with Hypopituitarism? I have hypopituitarism due to a tumor. Are there any diet/exercise plans out there that are adapted to this condition? Specifically, that take into consideration cortisone balance.

Answer: Being overweight is associated with a risk of developing a variety of illnesses that can cause symptoms and interfere with a person's quality of life. Whether a person would benefit from weight loss can be determined from their BMI (Body Mass Index), which is calculated by measuring their height (in metres) and weight (in kilos), squaring the height and dividing the weight by the result. If the BMI is greater than 25 the person is overweight. The cornerstone of obesity treatment is changing lifestyle factors and this includes changes to diet and physical activity. In cases where weight loss is particularly difficult to achieve using lifestyle changes alone, there are drugs that are effective in promoting weight loss. These have potential side effects however and require medical supervision. Physical activity may be more important than diet in promoting fitness and controlling weight. To be effective the physical activity should be undertaken at least five times a week, for at least half an hour. It needs to be sufficiently strenuous to make the participant slightly out of breath (but still able to talk to a companion). Suitable forms of exercise include brisk walking, swimming, cycling and using a treadmill. Those with complaints such as arthritis should choose low impact activities such as swimming. Participants in higher impact activities need to ensure they have appropriate, impact-absorbing footwear, which is replaced when it deteriorates. Exercise also provides an immense feel-good factor, and is now often used in the treatment of depression. On the diet aspects of controlling weight, it is best for overweight people to aim for gradual weight loss: rapid weight loss can result in loss of muscle mass. In addition to being intrinsically harmful, this will lead to a reduced Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which will reduce the effectiveness of subsequent attempts to control weight. Gradual weight loss, combined with exercise to maintain muscle mass, is therefore the preferred option. The quantity and quality of the diet is important. A diet can result in weight loss but still have a bad effect on health, e.g. fashionable 'high protein, high fat' diets can have negative effects on health (low carbohydrate levels can lead to low blood sugar levels resulting in light-headedness and dizziness, and the resulting high levels of ketones (chemicals produced in the body by the metabolism of fat) can often be detected on the dieter's breath.) A low fat, relatively high carbohydrate diet is a more healthy option. The diet needs to contain a sufficient (but not excessive) amount of protein - 60 grams per day is generally sufficient. However, the relatively high carbohydrate intake should not be in the form of eating concentrated forms of sugar as this can result in impaired glucose tolerance and reactive hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels as a result of the body trying to cope with sudden increases in sugar intake) with associated light-headedness and dizziness. Those wishing to lose weight would often benefit from the support of a dietician or practice nurse providing long-term follow-up. Medical supervision is also advisable for those whose condition can make weight loss more difficult, e.g. those needing hydrocortisone replacement therapy. Sibutramine and orlistat, the drugs available for weight control, both have significant side effects and should only be taken under medical supervision and in conjunction with lifestyle weight-control methods. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than we expend (about 600 fewer each day usually results in steady weight loss). After initial success with weight loss, we will actually expend fewer calories each day, and so will need to further reduce our intake to maintain weight loss. This is the difficulty in maintaining a weight loss plan!

Question: What is the triple bolus test, and how does it relate to hypopituitarism?

Answer: A triple bolus test or a dynamic pituitary function test is a medical diagnostic procedure used to assess a patient's pituitary function. Three hormones (usually synthetic analogues) are injected as a bolus into the patient's vein to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland: insulin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). The gland's response is assessed by measuring cortisol, growth hormone (GH), prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) hormone levels. Blood glucose levels are also monitored for hypoglycemia. A triple bolus test is usually ordered and interpreted by endocrinologists. The triple bolus test was introduced in 1973 by physicians from the London (Royal Postgraduate Medical School) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. It followed earlier reports combining insulin and vasopressin analogues in the diagnosis of hypopituitarism Hypopituitarism is the decreased (hypo) secretion of one or more of the eight hormones normally produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. If there is decreased secretion of most pituitary hormones, the term panhypopituitarism (pan meaning "all") is used. The signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism vary, depending on which hormones are undersecreted and on the underlying cause of the abnormality. The diagnosis of hypopituitarism is made by blood tests, but often specific scans and other investigations are needed to find the underlying cause, such as tumors of the pituitary, and the ideal treatment. Most hormones controlled by the secretions of the pituitary can be replaced by tablets or injections. Hypopituitarism is a rare disease, but may be significantly underdiagnosed in people with previous traumatic brain injury. The first description of the condition was made in 1914 by the German physician Dr. Morris Simmonds.

Question: Does any one have Hypopituitarism? Does any one have Hypopituitarism? Do you have side affects from the steroids? Do you have a puffy face from the steroid? Are you able to lose weight norrmally? Are you able to live an active Lifestyle? Thanks I really appreciate your answers.

Answer: Go here to learn more :- http://www.umm.edu/endocrin/hypopit.htm

Question: Is there anyone out there that has hypopituitarism and is recieving disability? I have been denied disability Is there anyone out there who has been diagnosed with hypopituitarism and is recieving disability? I was denied, told by doctors that I could still work, but even mowing the lawn for ten minutes leaves me winded. I appealed with the help of a lawyer and still got nowhere. Where can I turn to for help?

Answer: I had a brother who was disabled and got denied like you have. Call your US House of Representative,Repesentative, and have him advocate for you. My brother did this and was approved.

Question: Is there anyone who has been diagnosed with pan-hypopituitarism and have trouble with anxiety and depression ?

Answer: I am not been diagnosed with it but i am a doctor, so probably i can help you, 90% patients with panhypopituitarism present psychological symptoms, the good news is that almost all of them disappear with the hormonal substitution treatment and if that doesn't happen they can still be treated with good results with traditional antidepressants keeping the hormonal levels in normal rages. i hope this helps. good luck

Question: Does anyone have any advice for someone with Hypopituitarism and thinking of taking Growth Hormone?

Answer: the pituitary gland controls most glands in the body.If its not functioning properly, u need to talk to your doctor and see whats wrong. Once u get that worked out, you wont need growth hormone anyway. But keep in mind, if u do start taking GH, you will get side effects. Talk to your doctor ok?

Question: Could I have hypopituitarism? I'm female, age 16. I am 5'1'', though the doctors predicted when I was born that I would be at least 5'6'' (dunno how accurate those predictions usually are, though). I have struggled with depression, mood swings, difficulty paying attention, irritability, and irrational emotional distress since the age of 11. also, i've had long-term chronic constipation, recently resolved... could these be signs of hypopituitarism?

Answer: House M.D. is right to ask the question. How tall is your parents, your aunts? My sister is 5ft. Everyone else in the family is taller than her. That's just the breaks.

Question: Attn doctors: What are the most common types of Hypopituitarism u've seen? please give details? I'm doing a project on Hypopituitarism. I am a student. Any help would be greaty appreciated. If you have any experiences to share, please e-mail me: marinelle_1990@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Answer: You are asking a lot. Go to "webmd" type in "hypopituitarism" in the search slot. there is a lot of infor about a lot of stuff. all of it good. the other links are all good too.

Question: A question about Hypopituitarism? If a girl had an accident at the age of 8, which caused a head injury, what are the possibilities of her getting Hypopituitarism? How far would this affect her fertility, sex drive and phsycological condition? Can this be treated or not? Thanks for the help

Answer: Hello, Damage to the pituitary gland is what can cause hypopituitariasm (hence the name), usually the first thing lost would be HGH (human growth hormone) which, if damaged enough, will cause her to grow under 5 feet. It is treatable with hormone replacement therapy.

Question: Anyone here have hypopituitarism (delayed Puberty)? Anyone here have hypopituitarism (delayed Puberty)?

Answer: i have just the opposite on the other end! early menepause at 37 but wont stop bleeding (sorry)

Question: hypopituitarism? i have had hypopituitarism 6 months ago , i am taking hydrocortisone 20mg in the morning , the problem is that i am always dizzy , lighthead, and stomach pain . although my sodium and potassium levels are normal ?!!! and if this levels are normal all the time can i reduce the hydrocortisone dose ??

Answer: Don't make ANY medication changes without consulting your physician. The hydrocortisone should be OK to take any time of day, so you may want to switch your dosing schedule to nighttime. Your doctor may also recommend dividing the dose into 10 in the morning and 10 at night. Discuss it with your physician. He/she may want to look at other things to rule out other problems. Good luck!

Question: Does anyone have Hypopituitarism? I've had it since i was 4, and i've never met anyone who has it!! i'm just curious if there is alot of other people who have it. :)

Answer: HI ALY ! as you know i do not have it . but i do love you.

Question: Hypothyroidism/hypopituitarism? Possible? I have had a couple of abnormal symptoms that have progressed since Fall of 2005 (possibly earlier). I've had muscle weakness, constipation(even with normal feces), and the BIG THREE: increased hunger(I eat like once every four hours and almost starve on a full meal for a 7 hour fast), increased urination (bout 14 times a day), and dry dry skin which, now what looks like acne is building up all over my skin everywhere. =(. Now I got all this junk but I wasn't totally aware of each one until I noticed most people urinate like 5 times a day. My doctor suspected diabetes mellitis at first, but a blood test showed that I was negative for diabetes. I have been consulted to a urologist and I have yet to go since my parent's Medicaid is dead for a while. =(. Guess I'll have a hard time in soccer season Senior year =(. Unless I get help of course =/.

Answer: You're probably right about the (primary) hypothyroidism ..Secondary, or pituitary hypothyroidism is possible, but is quite rare....Get a TSH.

Question: Is anyone out there who has had childhood onset Growth Hormone Deficiency? Also called Hypopituitarism

Answer: Yes... My son has this. We give him growth hormone injections daily. He was seen by an endocrinologist who prescribes the injections. He has the growth hormone issue because he was born missing a half of a chromosome. It is called 22q deletion syndrome. Also known as DiGeorge Syndrome or VCFS. He is now 3 yrs old and since staring the injections he is finally starting to grow.

Question: I need help with my medical terminology!? Divide hypopituitarism into its word parts and define each part.

Answer: Hypo=decreased Pituitar=pituitary Ism=state of State of decreased level of pituitary hormones

Question: My child @ hospital for 3 months of her life? My baby was in the hospital for 3 months due to gastroschesis, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, and hip dysplasia. Please watch my video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZqKjgdq_… Has anyone had a baby with these problems? Please let me know. I didn't even get to hold her for the first 3 weeks.

Answer: My son was born with a very mild case of gastroschesis and he developed hip dysplasia and had to have both hips repaired but he was diagnosed at a older age. With the gastroschesis he did not need surgery they said it was a miracle that the intestines went back in on their own but he did not have a lot of the intestines out just a small portion. my son was in a children's hospital for the first 8 days and we have been in and out of the hospital ever since. If I can be of any help to you please don't be afraid to ask. my son is now 13 but still has alot of problems but is a fighter and is doing well considering all he has been through and all the operations he has had. I feel your pain and know what you are going through.. God has bless you with a beautiful baby.