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Warning-sign checks

Hypopituitarism: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for:

    • Sudden severe headache with vision loss, double vision, vomiting, confusion, or collapse
    • Severe weakness, repeated vomiting, marked drowsiness, confusion, or fainting when cortisol deficiency is possible
    • Inability to keep steroid medicine down with worsening illness
    • Signs of very low blood pressure, such as collapse or reduced consciousness

    Both need emergency assessment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical advice if you take cortisol replacement and develop an illness, fever, injury, or vomiting that affects your usual medicine plan.

    Follow your sick-day instructions if you have them.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent unexplained fatigue together with symptoms such as missed periods, sexual changes, unusual thirst, frequent urination, reduced growth, or a history of pituitary disease, brain treatment, or serious head injury.

The article also says

If you already have hypopituitarism, contact your care team for new symptoms, repeated dizziness, changes in vision, pregnancy planning, or concerns that replacement treatment is too strong or not strong enough.

Sudden headache and visual or neurological symptoms may indicate pituitary apoplexy.

Severe illness with cortisol deficiency may indicate adrenal crisis.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hypopituitarism. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.