If a tumor is present, there may be headaches or loss of vision. Symptoms generally relate to the hormones that are missing. In children, there may be growth problems -- either too much growth or too little -- or puberty that occurs too early or too late.
Hypothyroidism may occur, causing fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, and hair or skin changes. Menstrual disturbance, impotence, breast enlargement, and loss of body hair and muscle (in men) may occur. Low adrenal function may cause dizziness and weakness. Less commonly, patients may also experience obesity, body temperature disturbance, emotional abnormalities or uncontrolled urination.
A variant of hypothalamic dysfunction that occurs in men, called Kallmann's syndrome, includes hypogonadism (lowered function of sexual hormones) and an inability to smell.
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