Hypopituitarism: growth hormone and corticotropin deficiency.
This article presents an overview of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) and corticotropin deficiency (central adrenal failure, CAI). Both conditions can result from various ailments affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland (most frequently a tumor in the area or its treatment). Clinical manifestations are subtle in AGHD but potentially life-threatening in CAI. The diagnosis needs dynamic testing in most cases. Treatment of AGHD is recommended in patients with documented severe deficiency, and treatment of CAI is mandatory in all cases. Despite significant progress in replacement hormonal therapy, more physiologic treatments and more reliable indicators of treatment adequacy are still needed.
Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 34-36 Aviatorilor Boulevard, Bucharest 011863, Romania; Department of Pituitary and Neuroendocrine Diseases, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, 34-36 Aviatorilor Boulevard, Bucharest 011863, Romania.
Cristina
C
Capatina
Discipline of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK; Department of Endocrinology, Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK. Electronic address: john.wass@noc.anglox.nhs.uk.
John A H
JA
Wass
D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism
D019382:Human Growth Hormone
ACTH; Adults; Corticotropin; Deficiency; Growth hormone; Hypopituitarism; Replacement treatment