What Causes Hypopituitarism?

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a disorder that occurs when excessive amounts of iron build up in the body. In healthy individuals, the intestines absorb a precise quantity of iron from the foods consumed. Individuals with hemochromatosis tend to absorb too much of that iron and then store it in the joints and organs such as the heart, pituitary gland, pancreas, and liver. When the body has no way to get rid of excess iron, it displaces it in numerous tissues, including the cells in the anterior portion of the pituitary gland. The cells of the pituitary tissues are highly sensitive to iron toxicity. This sensitivity combined with the displacement of iron causes cell death in the pituitary tissues resulting in impaired function of hormone production. For unknown reasons, most cases of hemochromatosis only affect the anterior part of the pituitary gland responsible for producing the adrenocorticotropic, growth, follicle-stimulating, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormones. Low blood pressure, weight loss, nausea, depression, weakness, vomiting, decreased strength, decreased muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and lack of milk production can all be indicative of hypopituitarism triggered by hemochromatosis.

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