Case Report: Hypopituitarism Masquerading as Failure to Thrive in a 75-Year-Old Woman

This case report described a 75-year-old woman who was diagnosed with hypopituitarism, a rare condition in elderly adults, after being admitted for failure to thrive. Her symptoms included weight loss, scant hair, and cachexia, which were initially attributed to aging. Laboratory tests revealed low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, cortisol, and other hormones, leading to a diagnosis of panhypopituitarism. Treatment with levothyroxine and fludrocortisone resulted in significant weight gain 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.