Pituitary Gland Function
The pituitary gland is a small, bean-shaped gland located below the brain at the base of the skull. The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland." It controls the secretion of the body's hormones. When released into the blood stream by the pituitary gland, these substances affect growth and development, metabolism, sexuality, reproductive function, and how we respond to stress.
Pituitary Disorders and Your Health
The pituitary gland sits close to major intracranial nerves and blood vessels, and important nerves that control eye movements and facial sensation. Due to its close proximity to the brain and intracranial nerves, pituitary disorders can cause a wide range of hormonal and neurological symptoms.
Pituitary Adenomas
Pituitary tumors (pituitary adenomas) can result in hormonal overproduction causing serious endocrine disturbances such as acromegaly, Cushing's disease, or prolactinoma (excess prolactin). Other pituitary adenomas enlarge, causing the normal pituitary gland to become compressed, leading to decreased or absent hormone production (called hypopituitarism or pituitary failure), visual loss from optic chiasm, and headaches.
Hypopituitarism
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland fails to produce one or more hormones, or not enough of them. This condition may occur because of disease in the pituitary gland. Low or no production of all of the pituitary hormones is called panhypopituitarism. This condition can affect both children and adults.
Treating Pituitary Disorders
At our Lewisburg clinic, our skilled endocrinology team offers treatment of pituitary gland disorders including Hyperprolactinemia, Acromegaly, pituitary tumors, Hypopituitarism and Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency Disorder.
