Clinical Manifestations
GH deficiency
The onset of GH deficiency during childhood results in a slowing of linear growth. Children should have their growth pattern charted in the pediatrician's office and deviations from normal growth should be investigated. There are a large number of reasons for disordered growth and GH deficiency is only one.
In adults, loss of normal GH secretion causes less obvious problems. Most patients experience some decrease in muscle mass and strength and an increase in fat mass along with some decrease in energy and possibly a decreased sense of well-being. However, these symptoms do not occur in all and may not be correctible by GH treatment in all.
ACTH Deficiency
Patients with ACTH deficiency often have decreased energy and endurance and women may have decreased libido but symptoms generally are rather nonspecific. Symptoms are usually less severe than in patients with destruction of the adrenal glands themselves. However, there is a decreased ability to withstand stress, especially severe physical stress, and the hormone deficit should be treated. Symptoms are similar in children and adults.
TSH Deficiency
Patients with TSH deficiency have symptoms that are the same as people with hypothyroidism. They may experience decreased energy, increased sleeping, constipation, mental slowing, dry skin and brittle hair, cold intolerance, and muscle weakness. Children may present with slowing of growth.
LH and FSH Deficiency
In children, decreased LH and FSH secretion may cause delayed or absent puberty. In adults, loss of these hormones may cause infertility and decreased libido in both sexes, loss of normal menstrual cycles in women, erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in men, and decreased testes size. Prolonged loss of the target organ hormones of LH and FSH, i.e. estrogens in women and testosterone in men, may cause loss of body hair, osteoporosis, and reduction in breast size in women.
Prolactin Deficiency
This causes failure of lactation after delivering a baby and really only presents as a clinical symptom when it occurs as part of the pituitary destruction that rarely occurs when there is obstetrical hemorrhage (Sheehan's syndrome).
