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</div><div><span>Hypothalamic dysfunction</span></div></div>
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</a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Hypothalamic dysfunction</h1>
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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>Hypothalamic dysfunction is a problem with part of the brain called the <a test="test" href="./002380.htm">hypothalamus</a>. The hypothalamus helps control the pituitary gland and regulates many body functions.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>The hypothalamus helps keep the body's internal functions in balance. It helps regulate:</p><ul><li>Appetite and weight</li><li>Body temperature</li><li>Childbirth</li><li>Emotions, behavior, memory</li><li>Growth</li><li>Production of breast milk</li><li>Salt and water balance</li><li>Sex drive</li><li>Sleep-wake cycle and the body clock </li></ul><p>Another important function of the hypothalamus is to control the pituitary gland. The pituitary is a small gland at the base of the brain. It lies just below the hypothalamus. The pituitary, in turn, controls the:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./002219.htm">Adrenal glands</a></li><li>Ovaries</li><li><a test="test" href="./002334.htm">Testes</a></li><li>Thyroid gland </li></ul><p>There are many causes of hypothalamic dysfunction. The most common are:</p><ul><li>Surgery </li><li>Brain injury</li><li>Brain tumors</li><li>Radiation treatment to the brain</li></ul><p>Other causes include: </p><ul><li>Nutrition problems, such as eating disorders (<a test="test" href="./000362.htm">anorexia</a>), extreme weight loss</li><li>Blood vessel problems in the brain, such as <a test="test" href="./001414.htm">aneurysm</a>, <a test="test" href="./001167.htm">pituitary apoplexy</a>, <a test="test" href="./000701.htm">subarachnoid hemorrhage</a></li><li>Genetic disorders, such as <a test="test" href="./001605.htm">Prader-Willi syndrome</a>, familial <a test="test" href="./000377.htm">diabetes insipidus</a>, Kallmann syndrome</li><li>Infections and swelling (inflammation) due to certain immune system diseases </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Symptoms are usually due to the hormones or brain signals that are missing. In children, there may be growth problems, either too much or too little growth. In other children, puberty occurs too early or too late.</p><p>Tumor symptoms may include headache or loss of vision.</p><p>If the thyroid is affected, there may be symptoms of an underactive thyroid (<a test="test" href="./000353.htm">hypothyroidism</a>). Symptoms may include feeling cold all the time, constipation, <a test="test" href="./003088.htm">fatigue</a>, or <a test="test" href="./007297.htm">weight gain</a>, among others.</p><p>If the adrenal glands are affected, there may be symptoms of low adrenal function. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, poor appetite, weight loss, and lack of interest in activities.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Exams and Tests</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms.</p><p>Blood or urine tests may be ordered to determine levels of hormones such as:</p><ul><li><a test="test" href="./003693.htm">Cortisol</a></li><li>Estrogen</li><li><a test="test" href="./003706.htm">Growth hormone</a></li><li>Pituitary hormones</li><li><a test="test" href="./003718.htm">Prolactin</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./003707.htm">Testosterone</a></li><li>Thyroid</li><li>Sodium</li><li><a test="test" href="./003463.htm">Blood</a> and <a test="test" href="./003609.htm">urine</a> osmolality<br/></li></ul><p>Other possible tests include:</p><ul><li>Hormone injections followed by timed blood samples</li><li><a test="test" href="./003791.htm">MRI</a> or <a test="test" href="./003786.htm">CT</a> scans of the brain</li><li><a test="test" href="./003879.htm">Visual field eye exam</a> (if there is a tumor)</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Treatment</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>Treatment depends on the cause of the hypothalamic dysfunction:</p><ul><li>For tumors, surgery or radiation may be needed.</li><li>For hormonal deficiencies, missing hormones need to be replaced by taking medicine. This is effective for pituitary problems and for salt and water balance.</li><li>Medicines are usually not effective for changes in temperature or sleep regulation.</li><li>Some medicines may help with problems related to appetite regulation and weight gain.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Outlook (Prognosis)</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Many causes of hypothalamic dysfunction are treatable or reversible. Most of the time, missing hormones can be replaced.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Possible Complications</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Complications of hypothalamic dysfunction depend on the cause.</p><p>BRAIN TUMORS</p><ul><li>Permanent blindness</li><li>Problems related to the brain area where the tumor occurs</li><li>Vision disorders</li><li>Problems controlling salt and water balance</li></ul><p>HYPOTHYROIDISM</p><ul><li>Heart problems</li><li><a test="test" href="./000403.htm">High cholesterol</a></li></ul><p>ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY</p><ul><li>Inability to deal with stress (such as surgery or infection), which can be life threatening by causing low blood pressure</li></ul><p>SEX GLAND DEFICIENCY</p><ul><li>Heart disease</li><li><a test="test" href="./007617.htm">Erection problems</a></li><li><a test="test" href="./001191.htm">Infertility</a></li><li>Thin bones (<a test="test" href="./000360.htm">osteoporosis</a>)</li><li>Problems breast feeding</li><li>Problems with uterine contractions during delivery</li></ul><p>GROWTH HORMONE DEFICIENCY</p><ul><li>High cholesterol</li><li>Osteoporosis</li><li><a test="test" href="./003271.htm">Short stature</a> (in children)</li><li>Weakness</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>Contact your provider if you have:</p><ul><li>Headaches</li><li>Symptoms of hormone excess or deficiency</li><li>Vision problems </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-8" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-8"><p>If you have symptoms of a hormonal deficiency, discuss replacement therapy with your provider.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Hypothalamic syndromes</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19239t.jpg" alt="Hypothalamus" title="Hypothalamus" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19239.htm">Hypothalamus</a></li>
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Giustina A, Allora A, Frara S, Spina A, Mortini P. The hypothalamus. In: Melmed S, ed. <em>The Pituitary</em>. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 9.</p><p>Weiss RE. Neuroendocrinology and the neuroendocrine system. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. <em>Goldman-Cecil Medicine</em>. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 204.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 5/12/2023</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. </p>
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