Located at the base of the brain, the pituitary is commonly referred to as the master gland because of the role it plays in controlling the function of all aspects of the body’s vital endocrine glands.
These glands produce our hormones, complex secretions which define the differences between male and female, regulate growth in childhood, control metabolism, body composition, vitality, emotions, sexual maturity and reproduction, our sex drive and virtually make life worth celebrating.
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland play a vital role in controlling the body’s endocrine glands.
Changes and abnormalities can spark a range of disorders, many with serious health consequences.
So, if you notice unusual changes in your body, be sure to consult a doctor – and if you’re concerned about your hormone levels, ask for a blood test to check for any changes in your pituitary gland.
Through early diagnosis, appropriate medical care, treatment and education, pituitary-related conditions can be controlled and managed to minimise the impact on your health.

Common pituitary symptoms and preliminary tests
Compiled in association with Santosh K Chaubey, MB BS, MD, Advanced Trainee in Endocrinology, Adjunct Lecturer (Clinical), School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville. Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, QLD.
The Hypothalamus and Pituitary gland work in close association and symptoms related to conditions involving either of these overlap to a great extent. They secrete various hormones which may act directly or indirectly through other peripheral endocrine glands like thyroid or adrenal glands. Both under activity and over activity of the pituitary gland present with a distinct clinical disorder. Clinical presentation may be related to excess or deficiency of hormones or combination of both.
An Increasing number of pituitary tumours are being recognized because of the wide use of brain imaging in modern clinical practice. The majority of tumours do not secrete any hormone and are termed a ‘nonfunctioning adenoma’. If small enough and non compressive in nature they do not give rise to any symptoms but once they increase in size of compress nearby nerves or blood vessels they may become symptomatic. Not all pituitary masses are adenomas. Less commonly, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, metastasis etc. may present in a similar way. Furthermore, pituitary hormone abnormalities may also be attributable to developmental abnormalities, hypothalamic tumours, cranial irradiation, post partum hemorrhage, head injury etc.
Below is the list of common symptoms related to excess or deficiency of hypothalamic-pituitary hormones.
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Hormone Excess/Deficiency
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Symptoms
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Any hypothalamic / Pituitary mass lesion: Non specific symptoms
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Weakness, peripheral vision loss, double vision, eyelid drop, headache, decreased libido, fatigue (or generalised weakness)
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Growth Hormone : Excess
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Increased height, tight rings, increasing shoe size, arthritis, protruded lower jaw, sweating and oily skin
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Growth Hormone : Deficiency
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Failure to grow, decreased muscle mass, obesity
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Prolactin: Excess
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Irregular or absent menstruation, milky discharge from the breasts, breast tenderness, decreased libido and infertility
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Prolactin: Deficiency
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No clinical features in male, failure of lactation in females
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Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH): Excess
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Weight gain, thin limbs, central obesity, round flushed face, easy bruisability, purple stretch marks, easy fractures, high BP and diabetes, mood disturbances, menstrual disturbances, hyperpigmentation of gums, palmer creases, umbilicus and breast alveolae etc.
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ACTH: Deficiency
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Weight loss, fatigue, nausea, hypoglycemia (low sugar levels) , low blood pressure, salt craving
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TSH: Excess
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Thyroid enlargement, fatigue, tremors, sweating, palpitations, heat intolerance, weight loss, nervousness, irregular or absent menstruation
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TSH: Deficiency
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Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, coarse skin, menstrual irregularity
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Luteinizing hormone (LH) & Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Excess (Very rare)
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Commonly related to primary testicular or ovarian failure not pituitary tumour.
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LH & FSH : Deficiency
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Delayed puberty, irregular or absent menstruation, decreased libido and fertility
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Anti Diuretic Hormone( ADH): Excess
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Known as SIADH, not directly caused by pituitary tumours. headache, tiredness , nausea, impaired consciousness in severe cases
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ADH: Deficiency
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Frequent and nocturnal urination, increased thirst, weakness, may lead to severe dehydration
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Oxytocin: Excess and Deficiency
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No specific symptoms
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Know your body, subtle changes are frequently not picked up by those who see you on a continual basis. It may also be helpful (for both yourself and your doctor) to keep a daily diary noting all symptoms and concerns over a period of a few weeks. Taking this with you to your appointment will ensure that you do not forget to mention anything that may seem insignificant but be important to your diagnosis. It will also give your doctor a better understanding of what is happening.
Quite commonly a pituitary condition is diagnosed incidentally. That is by a local GP, or by a doctor investigating another related or unrelated condition.
If you think you may have a pituitary condition, explore the meaning of your symptoms with your GP.
He may then refer you to an Endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormones.
Simple tests you can ask your GP to consider if he/she suspects you may have a pituitary condition are:
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Suspected Condition
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Preliminary Tests
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Growth Hormone : Excess
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Baseline GH, IGF-1
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Growth Hormone : Deficiency
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Baseline GH, IGF-1
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Prolactin: Excess
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Baseline Prolactin level
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Prolactin: deficiency
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Baseline Prolactin level
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Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH): Excess
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ACTH, Cortisol, 24 Hour Urine Free Cortisol.
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ACTH: Deficiency
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ACTH, Cortisol.
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TSH: Excess
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Thyroid function test, TRH stimulation, T4 suppression test.
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TSH: Deficiency
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Thyroid function test.
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Luteinizing hormone (LH) & Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Excess (Very rare)
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LH, FSH, Estradiol (in females), 9 am testosterone (in males), SHBG
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LH & FSH : Deficiency
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LH, FSH, Estradiol (in females), 9 am testosterone (in males), SHBG
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Anti Diuretic hormone( ADH): Excess
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Paired plasma and urine osmolality
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ADH: Deficiency
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Paired plasma and urine osmolality
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Oxytocin: Excess and Deficiency
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None
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(Further investigations may be needed if clinically indicated or if preliminary test results are abnormal)
The Pituitary Foundation recommends that you request copies of all of your test results to keep in your personal files. This will enable you to have all relevant information on hand for both your own understanding and also future appointments where you may be asked about previously conducted tests.
Updated: July 2010