“Underactive Pituitary Gland?”
How do I tell if my pituitary gland is producing a below average amount of human growth hormone? I am at a below average height of 5'6" and I looked up the symptoms of an underactive pituitary gland and I have most of them which are dry skin, constipation, and loss of skin pigmentation, not really sure if those are true symptoms but there wasn't a lot of information on it.
Male | 16 years old
Complaint duration: 0
Medications: None
Conditions: None
3 Answers
PediatricCriticalCareMedicineSpecialistPediatrician
Long list of possibilities from family growth patterns of short stature, delayed puberty to growth hormone and other hormone deficiencies like underactive thyroid and a long list of genetic conditions like Noonans Syndrome, Celiac Disease and other inflammatory conditions. Key is looking at weight and height, PLOT them on the standard charts and see if there is some clue by the pattern. Then get a hand xray called a bone age and compare this to height and weight ages. Physical exam would also be done and likely consultation with a pediatricadolescent endocrinologist experienced with growth and short stature conditions with likely screening blood tests such as IGF1, T4, TSH, chemistry profile, celiac testing and whatever else is suggested by detailed systems review, history and physical. If none of this provides a specific diagnosis, more detailed genetic testing and xrays as well as closer followup and plotting the height on the growth charts would then be done as part of the endocrine evaluation.
The initial step is to check the growth factors: IGF1 and IGFBP3
I have little data, let us just say that if you have significant hair on
your body, in particular your genital area, then you don't have a pituitary
problem. Best Dr. Norwood
your body, in particular your genital area, then you don't have a pituitary
problem. Best Dr. Norwood
