Case Report: Hypopituitarism Masquerading as Failure to Thrive in a 75-Year-Old Woman
October 2014
in “
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
”
New to Hydrocortisone? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This report describes a case of a 75-year-old woman whose diagnosis of hypopituitarism led to significant weight gain and improved physical function with treatment, highlighting the potential for overcoming frailty when investigating underlying causes in elderly patients.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This case report described a 75-year-old woman who was initially misdiagnosed with failure to thrive but was later found to have hypopituitarism, a rare condition in elderly adults. Her symptoms included weight loss, cachexia, scant hair, and hyponatremia, which were initially attributed to aging. Upon further investigation, she was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism and treated with levothyroxine and fludrocortisone, resulting in a 13 kg weight gain over 8 weeks and improved health. The report highlighted the importance of considering hypopituitarism in elderly patients with frailty and failure to thrive, as treatment can significantly improve quality of life and potentially extend lifespan.
