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How does Simmonds disease cause atrophy in several internal organs?

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atrophy One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).

Simmonds disease, also known as hypopituitarism, causes atrophy in several internal organs due to a chronic deficiency in the function of the pituitary gland.1

The pituitary gland acts as a master regulator of the endocrine system. When a destructive or atrophic lesion affects the pituitary, it leads to a severe, widespread failure in the production of essential hormones. Because organs such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and gonads rely on hormonal stimulation from the pituitary to maintain their activity and structure, this lack of stimulation causes them to atrophy.12

The resulting decline in these secondary endocrine functions subsequently triggers atrophic changes in their target organs and other viscera, including the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys. If left untreated, this systemic loss of hormonal support leads to severe emaciation and can be fatal.1