Case of complete recovery of pancytopenia after treatment of hypopituitarism

Ann Hematol. 2004 May;83(5):309-12. doi: 10.1007/s00277-003-0800-4. Epub 2003 Nov 26.

Abstract

We describe a 55-year-old woman who presented with pancytopenia with a normocytic and normochromic anemia which was progressive despite conventional treatments such as folic acid, vitamin B6, and oxymetholone. Her physical findings and history of a previous massive postpartum hemorrhage suggested Sheehan's syndrome, and the pituitary hormonal studies revealed panhypopituitarism. After 4 months of thyroxine and glucocorticoid replacement therapy, her pancytopenia and bone marrow hypoplasia recovered completely. Pancytopenia is a rare manifestation of a hormonal abnormality, but hematologists need to be aware of panhypopituitarism as a differential diagnosis when women showing features of hypopituitarism present with pancytopenia because it can be reversed with adequate hormone replacement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / etiology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / etiology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / blood
  • Hypopituitarism / complications*
  • Hypopituitarism / diagnosis
  • Hypopituitarism / drug therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancytopenia / etiology*
  • Sella Turcica / pathology
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Thyroxine