Estimates show that 19.5% of surviving US troops deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have sustained blast traumatic brain injuries (bTBIs) since 2001. And now, new research shows that these injuries can cause pituitary hormone problems.
A Medical Research Council (MRC) study, published in the journal Annals of Neurology, revealed that soldiers who have pituitary gland problems as a result of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) may experience psychological and metabolic symptoms, which get in the way of their recovery.
Researchers, led by Dr. Tony Goldstone, say identifying these soldiers will help to get them appropriate hormone replacement therapy.
To arrive at their results, the team looked at 19 soldiers in the UK with moderate or severe brain injuries that were caused by IED blasts while on duty in Afghanistan. These soldiers were compared with a group of 39 people with moderate or severe brain injuries caused by traffic accidents, falls or assaults.
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