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INFORMATION FOR A&E UNITS

Hydrocortisone Emergency in Pituitary Patients

Pituitary conditions are considered rare and A&E Units may only ever see one or two patients with this condition, including those patients who are having an ADRENAL CRISIS.

Hydrocortisone is a steroid produced by the adrenal gland. A good majority of people with pituitary disease have to take replacement hydrocortisone daily, as they don’t produce this naturally. Therefore, as they take replacements, they don’t have the natural surge of Cortisol if they become acutely ill, are vomiting or have severe shock.

In the stressful situations as described above, an emergency hydrocortisone injection is vital! This injection may be needed to save the patient's life. If this injection is delayed, the patient can become very ill, very quickly. Blood pressure drops and coma can occur.

Protocol for pituitary patients with ADRENAL CRISIS

• Interact with paramedics on their emergency assessment of patient.
• If patient hasn’t received their emergency hydrocortisone injection from the ambulance personnel, please give a 100mg injection to the patient urgently.
• If the attending A&E physician has any doubts, he/she should contact either the on-call Endocrinologist or the on-call consultant physician.

REMEMBER

PITUITARY PATIENT? > TAKING HYDROCORTISONE?> ADRENAL CRISIS?
IF YES - INJECT WITH HYDROCORTISONE

For more useful information about the Pituitary gland, pituitary disorders, resources available and The Pituitary Foundation, please use the following links:

Please click here for a general guide to the Pituitary Gland
This page will provide a general overview of the pituitary gland and pituitary disease.

Please click here to read the GP FactFile online.
The Foundation worked with endocrinologists across the UK to develop the GP Factfile, which provides more information about the pituitary gland and disorders of the gland presented in a format for the medical reader.

Please click here to go to our booklets online.
The Pituitary Foundation offers a library of patient education booklets with titles covering the various conditions, treatments and lifestyle and well-being issues.  These are all available to read online or download from our website.

Please click here to learn more about the services provided by The Pituitary Foundation.

Please click here for Links to Online Resources.

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