What it is
The pituitary is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. It's often called the master gland because it controls several other glands, including the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, and it makes growth hormone and prolactin.
Pituitary conditions include:
- Pituitary adenoma: a usually non-cancerous growth that may make excess hormone or press on nearby structures
- Hypopituitarism: reduced production of one or more pituitary hormones
- Hyperprolactinaemia: too much prolactin
- Acromegaly: too much growth hormone in adults
- Cushing's disease: a pituitary cause of Cushing's syndrome
- Diabetes insipidus (arginine vasopressin deficiency): a problem with the hormone that controls water balance, causing large amounts of dilute urine
Common symptoms
- Headaches, or loss of side vision (when a growth presses on the optic nerves)
- Irregular or absent periods, milky breast discharge, or low sex drive
- Tiredness, feeling cold, low blood pressure or low sodium
- Hands, feet or facial features gradually getting larger
- Extreme thirst and passing large amounts of urine
- Features of too much cortisol
When to see a specialist
- An MRI or CT scan shows a pituitary lump
- You have lost side vision, or have new, persistent headaches together with hormone symptoms
- Blood tests show abnormal pituitary hormones, including prolactin
- You have symptoms of several hormone problems at once
- You have had pituitary surgery or radiotherapy and need hormone follow-up
A sudden severe headache with loss of vision, or collapse, needs emergency care.
Treatment and management
- Complete hormone testing to see which pituitary hormones are high or low
- Pituitary MRI and visual field testing when needed
- Medicines to shrink some tumours or control excess hormone
- Replacement of any missing hormones
- Referral for surgery or radiotherapy in suitable cases, with ongoing care afterwards
How an endocrinologist helps
Dr. Marium Zaman evaluates the full range of pituitary hormones, not just the one that first looked abnormal, and coordinates scans, eye assessments and referrals. Long-term follow-up keeps hormone replacement and monitoring on track.
