What are pituitary disorders?

The pituitary gland regulates your bodily functions through the secretion of various important hormones. They control your cardiac function, blood pressure, general metabolism and sexual function. Pituitary disorders, usually caused by a tumour, radiation or other diseases, may cause too much or too little of these hormones to be produced. Deficiency of certain pituitary hormones (those that control cortisol and thyroid hormone) may be life-threatening.

Some physical signs that may indicate pituitary disease are:

·     whitish nipple discharge (galactorrhoea)

·     breast formation in men

·     loss of sex drive and poorer sexual function in men

·     rapid weight gain or excessive weight loss

·     high blood pressure that is difficult to control

·     persistent giddiness and headaches

·     persistent tiredness, lack of energy

·     rapid enlargement in shoe size and ring size

It is best to see your endocrinologist for a hormonal assessment should you be experiencing any of the above symptoms. Blood tests and MRI scanning of the pituitary may be necessary. Deficiencies of pituitary hormones are easily treatable and patients often experience rapid improvement in health and quality of life.