Which hormones are decreased in hypopituitarism?

In hypopituitarism, there is a deficiency in the secretion of certain hormones from the pituitary gland due to damage or dysfunction of the gland itself. This results in decreased levels of hormones that the pituitary is responsible for producing.

When it comes to growth hormone, hypopituitarism directly impacts its production. Since growth hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary, a decrease in this hormone is a hallmark feature of the condition. Similarly, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which regulates the thyroid gland's production of thyroid hormones, is also produced by the anterior pituitary. A deficiency in TSH leads to lower levels of thyroid hormones, contributing to many of the symptoms associated with hypopituitarism.

The other hormone options provided are not directly related to pituitary gland function in the same manner. For instance, while insulin and glucagon are secreted by the pancreas, they do not have a direct relationship with pituitary function. Estrogen and progesterone are primarily produced by the ovaries, although their regulation can involve pituitary hormones, their levels do not decrease strictly due to pituitary dysfunction. Lastly, cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands, driven by adrenocorticotropic hormone (