Panhypopituitarism in an Adult Male and Hypogonadism as a First Clue

Mymensingh Med J. 2020 Oct;29(4):1015-1020.

Abstract

Hypopituitarism is a rare entity with reported incidence, 4 per 100,000 and about 50% of such patients present with three to five pituitary hormone deficits. A slow onset of symptoms is typical. But, diversified presentations from absence of symptoms to vague clinical features to lethal effects leading to mortality are not uncommon in such disorder. In adults, in such cases symptoms of hypogonadism may be the first noticeable illness for reporting to physicians, but it is often under evaluated or even ignored. Here, we present a case of 40-year-old adult male with panhypopituitarism, who presented with loss of generalized body hair and loss of libido for about last five years but the problem was not evaluated adequately. Later, he developed lethargy, generalized weakness, weight loss and then the underneath cause detected was panhypopituitarism due to pituitary macro adenoma. So, suspicion and hormonal evaluation for hypogonadism would help in early detection and management of progressive hypopituitarism in symptomatic adult patients. Cases of panhypopituitarism need lifelong hormone replacement and follow-up and if pituitary adenoma is present, surgical removal by trans-sphenoidal approach is preferable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma* / complications
  • Adenoma* / diagnosis
  • Adenoma* / surgery
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism* / diagnosis
  • Hypogonadism* / etiology
  • Hypopituitarism* / diagnosis
  • Hypopituitarism* / etiology
  • Hypopituitarism* / therapy
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / surgery

Supplementary concepts

  • Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency