Conditions and Disorders Related to Pituitary Gland

Several conditions can affect or affect the functioning of the pituitary gland. There are four main categories of problems with the pituitary gland:

Pituitary Adenomas 

A pituitary adenoma is a benign (noncancerous) growth of the pituitary gland. It accounts for 10 to 15% of all tumors originating in the skull.   

Pituitary adenomas usually grow slowly, but when they grow too large, they can put pressure on surrounding structures and cause symptoms. It can also compress the optic nerve, causing visual impairment (loss of peripheral vision). Rarely, large pituitary adenomas may bleed.   

Some pituitary adenomas secrete excess pituitary hormones. It is called a functional (secretory) adenoma. Others do not secrete any hormones. They are called non-functional adenomas.   

There are several types of pituitary adenomas that function according to the hormones they secrete. The most common functional adenoma is a prolactinoma that secretes an excess of prolactin. Prolactinoma is usually treated with drugs.   

Tumors of the pituitary gland that grow too large or secrete hormones usually require treatment, including surgery.

Hypopituitarism 

Hypopituitarism is a condition in which one, several, or all of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland are insufficient. Most cases of hypopituitarism are caused by a deficiency of one hormone. A deficiency of two or more pituitary hormones is called panhypopituitarism. This usually occurs after pituitary surgery or brain radiation therapy. Hypopituitarism is most commonly caused by damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.   

Certain conditions associated with growth hormone deficiency include:   

• Growth Hormone Deficiency: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone (GH). In children, it causes growth and developmental delays and delayed puberty. It causes metabolic problems in adults.                                                                                                                      
• Central Diabetes Insipidus: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH or vasopressin). This causes the body to produce too much urine (urine) and cannot retain enough water.                                                                                                                                             
• Central Hypogonadism: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It causes problems with sexual function, development, and fertility.                                                                                                                                                  
• Central Adrenal Insufficiency: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough ACTH. As a result, the body is unable to secrete cortisol.
• Central Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Hyperpituitarism 

Hyperpituitarism occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much of one or more hormones. It is often caused by a functional/secretory pituitary adenoma (a noncancerous tumor).   Certain conditions associated with excess  pituitary hormones include:   

• Acromegaly: This condition occurs in adulthood when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. This causes certain parts of the body, such as arms, legs, and/or organs, to enlarge and cause metabolic problems.
• Anorexia: This condition occurs in childhood or adolescence when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone. This causes rapid growth and very high growth.   
• Cushing’s Disease: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), causing the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. This can lead to rapid weight gain and high blood sugar in certain parts of the body, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.                                  
• Hyperprolactinemia: This condition occurs when the pituitary gland secretes too much prolactin. This causes infertility and a milky discharge (milk discharge) from the nipples.         

Empty Sella Syndrome 

Empty Sella syndrome (ESS) is a rare condition in which the pituitary gland flattens or contracts due to problems with the Sella turcica, a bone structure at the base of the brain that surrounds and protects the pituitary gland. The Turkish saddle is a saddle section. Means “Place of Turkey” in Latin. Empty Turkish Saddle – X-ray Diagnosis. Often this does not lead to true disease and is often found incidentally on imaging. In some cases, ESA can cause certain symptoms, including hormonal imbalances, frequent headaches, and changes in vision. However, if your pituitary hormone levels are within the normal range, this is nothing to worry about.

The pituitary gland (also called the pituitary gland) is a small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain below the hypothalamus. It is located in a small chamber below the brain known as the Turkish saddle. It is the part of the endocrine system that produces several important hormones. The pituitary gland also directs other glands in the endocrine system to release hormones.  

Sweat glands are organs that produce one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, or tears. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate various functions in the body, sending messages through the blood to various organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when. The pituitary gland is divided into two main parts: the anterior pituitary (anterior lobe) and the posterior pituitary (posterior lobe). The pituitary gland connects to the hypothalamus through a trunk of blood vessels and nerves called the pituitary trunk (also called the pituitary gland).