Some pituitary tumours can exist for years without causing symptoms and some will never produce symptoms. Most pituitary tumours occur in people with no family history of pituitary problems and the condition is not usually passed on from generation to generation. Only very occasionally are tumours inherited - for example, in a condition known as multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN1.
It can cause headaches and visual problems or it can press on the pituitary gland, causing it to stop producing the required amount of one or more of the pituitary hormones.
This effect can also occur following treatment you are given for a tumour, such as surgery or radiotherapy. The more common pituitary conditions include acromegaly , Cushing's , diabetes insipidus , hypogonadism, hypopituitarism and prolactinoma. Many pituitary problems are caused by a benign tumour and an operation is often the best course of action - and surgical methods are continually improving.
We can reassure you that surgery carried out by a specialist neurosurgeon is safe and a relatively straightforward procedure. Most tumours are removed by making a small incision inside your nostril, or under the upper lip. By using this route, the surgeon can see your pituitary without disturbing the main part of your brain.
The operation will usually require about five days in hospital and you should be up and about the day after surgery, eating normally. You will be on a drip for a day or two and may also be given antibiotics to prevent any infection in your nose.
Recovery times do vary according to the individual, with an average of perhaps four to eight weeks off from work, if employed. This follow-up treatment is sometimes used as a follow up to surgery, or it can be recommended instead of surgery. Most radiotherapy is accomplished over several weeks with an initial visit to have an individual mask made which guides the radiotherapist accurately to where the X-rays will be focussed. Radiotherapy can also be given in a focused beam e.
These drugs may be used to reduce the levels of a hormone that your pituitary is overproducing, or to replace a hormone that your pituitary is under producing.
It senses the body's needs and sends signals to different organs and glands throughout the body to regulate their function and maintain an appropriate environment. It secretes a variety of hormones into the bloodstream which act as messengers to transmit information from the pituitary gland to distant cells, regulating their activity.
For example, the pituitary gland produces prolactin , which acts on the breasts to induce milk production. Through secretion of its hormones, the pituitary gland controls metabolism , growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure and many other vital physical functions and processes.
The anterior pituitary gland produces the following hormones and releases them into the bloodstream:. Each of these hormones is made by a separate type of cell within the pituitary gland, except for follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone , which are made together by the same cell. Two hormones are produced by the hypothalamus and then stored in the posterior pituitary gland before being secreted into the bloodstream. These are:.
Between the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary lies the intermediate pituitary gland. Cells here produce:.
The pituitary gland is an important gland in the body and the hormones it produces carry out varied tasks and regulate the function of many other organs. This means that the symptoms experienced when the pituitary gland stops working correctly can be different, depending on which hormone is affected.
You can read more about possible disorders of the pituitary gland on the Australian Pituitary Foundation website or Hormones Australia website. Learn more about the endocrine system and the different hormones released by the endocrine glands. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
What hormones are produced by the pituitary gland? Read more on Hormones Australia website. Growth hormone deficiency is a rare condition where the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone GH. Symptoms in adulthood vary in severity. Pituitary disorders arise from excess or inadequate production of hormones produced by the pituitary gland. Read more on Better Health Channel website. Hyperprolactinaemia refers to high levels of prolactin in the blood.
Prolactin is a hormone made in the pituitary gland and plays a role in breast milk Cortisol is a hormone produced by the two adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney.
The pituitary gland in the brain regulates cortisol production. Cortisol plays an important role in the stress response. Maintaining an adequate balance of cortisol is essential for health.
Read more on Ausmed Education website. Thyroid testing should only be requested after a detailed clinical history and targeted physical examination have suggested thyroid problems.
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