WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Hypopituitarism is a condition where your pituitary gland does not make enough hormones. The pituitary gland is found under the middle part of your brain. Your pituitary gland makes and releases hormones such as prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid stimulating hormone. It also controls the amount of hormones that other glands make and release in your body.
CARE AGREEMENT:You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
- Treatment may increase your risk of heart problems and breast, prostate, colon, or blood cancers. It may also increase your risk of bone fractures or bone loss. Your brain, nerves, or blood vessels may be damaged during surgery. Surgery may also increase your risk for bleeding or an infection. After surgery, you may have headaches, or weakness in some parts of your body.
- If hypopituitarism is not treated, your symptoms will get worse. You may have an increased risk of diabetes, heart problems, and weak bones. You may have an increased risk of a stroke or memory loss. Hypopituitarism may increase your risk of a coma and become life-threatening.
WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
Intake and output:
Caregivers will keep track of the amount of liquid you are getting. They also may need to know how much you are urinating. Ask how much liquid you should drink each day. Ask caregivers if they need to measure or collect your urine.
You may be weighed each day. Caregivers compare your weight from day to day to record how much body fluid you have.
Medicines are given to replace hormones that are low. They may be given as a pill, injection, or skin patch.
- Blood and urine tests check hormone levels and get information about your overall health.
- A CT scan , or CAT scan, is a type of x-ray that is taken of your brain. Caregivers use the pictures to look at tissue and blood vessels, and check for a brain tumor. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. Tell the caregiver if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye.
- An MRI takes pictures of your brain to show if you have a tumor or other problems. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. Tell the caregiver if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye.
- Hormone challenge tests are done to check if your hypothalamus, pituitary, and other glands are working properly.
- Water deprivation test measures how much ACTH or ADH you have in your body. You will be told not to drink liquids for a certain amount of time. Your urine will be measured every 2 hours and your blood will be checked every hour.
You may be given IV fluids to increase your blood pressure and correct your body's fluid balance.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.