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Gliński’s disease and Simmondan (Pituitary sarcoma) is a multi-glandular hypothyroidism. Another name for the disease is pituitary cachexia, due to the extreme wasting of the organism found in it. This ailment arises due to the loss of the hormonal activity of the pituitary gland (especially the anterior lobe). There are many reasons for the development of the disease, but it is the doctor who makes the correct diagnosis.
Definition of Gliński and Simmonds disease
Gliński and Simmonds disease is a condition related to the hypothyroidism of the anterior pituitary gland or pituitary necrosis, otherwise it is a multi-glandular hormonal insufficiency. This disease develops as a result of damage to the pituitary gland, which in turn causes disturbances in the excretory functions. On the other hand, the complete destruction of the pituitary gland causes the proper functioning of the glands to be completely disturbed, leading to adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism or impaired ovarian function. Gliński-Simmonds disease is able to destroy the body to an extent similar to anorexia.
The causes of Glinski-Simmonds disease
Gliński and Simmonds disease due to the almost complete loss of the hormonal function of the pituitary gland, especially its anterior lobe. As a result, insufficiency of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and sex glands is formed, with symptoms of general weakness, cachexia, loss of libido and cessation of menstruation in women. The ailment mainly affects women in the period between 30 and 40 years of age. The pituitary gland can be damaged as a result of, for example:
- a cancerous tumor in this part of the brain,
- tumor metastases,
- various types of head injuries,
- pituitary gland treatments,
- vascular diseases,
- radiation therapy,
- inflammation,
- syphilis, tuberculosis,
- immune diseases,
- malnutrition,
- clots in the pituitary gland in women who have had a haemorrhage during childbirth.
Thus, the causes of Glinski-Simmonds disease can be many, but finding the right one depends on a specialist.
Important! Gliński-Simmonds disease should be distinguished from anorexia nervosa, which is very similar to it. Similarly, it causes the destruction of the body and the disappearance of other endocrine glands, but without any anatomical changes in the pituitary gland.
Gliński-Simmonds disease – symptoms
Symptoms of ailments depend on how badly damaged the pituitary gland is. We include among them:
- disturbance of the secretory function of the pituitary gland;
- hormone deficiencies: vasopressin, luteinizing (a hormone found in the mammary glands), growth and thyroid-regulating thyroid gland;
- prolactin deficiency (due to pituitary necrosis after childbirth);
- significantly lowered immunity, which leads to infection;
- loss of hair on the chest and face in men;
- low blood sugar;
- emaciation and emaciation (similar to anorexia);
- lack of appetite;
- somnolence;
- sometimes visual disturbances;
- greater sensitivity to cold;
- pale skin;
- brack libido;
- arrest of menstruation in women;
- seizures;
- high intracranial pressure;
- apathy.
When the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland is destroyed, the symptoms of diabetes insipidus develop, with low levels of sugar, water and salt in the patient’s body. This can even lead to coma.
Diagnostics of Gliński and Simmonds disease
Diagnosis of the disease in most cases consists primarily in conducting a medical interview with the patient (question about head injuries, radiotherapy or visual disturbances) and a careful examination of the symptoms. In addition, the doctor recommends hormonal tests to determine the concentration of hormones in the blood and the type of missing hormones. Certain hormones must be tested very carefully with two types of blood tests. The first is the basic test that is performed in the morning without the use of hormonal stimulation. The second type of test is dynamic because it is performed immediately after hormonal stimulation. In addition, imaging and urine examinations can be included in other methods of diagnosing Gliński and Simmonds disease.
Gliński and Simmonds disease – treatment
The sooner the disease is detected, the better the patient’s prognosis. However, it should be remembered that there is treatment for this ailment for lifeand remission is very rare. Therapy consists of the replacement of pituitary hormones (usually testosterone, estrogen or levothyroxine) or its surgical implantation. Treatment helps you return to your normal lifestyle. Patients of this type require systematic supervision by an endocrinologist for the rest of their lives. Too late diagnosis and treatment implementation may even lead to the patient’s death.