Understanding the Pituitary Gland: Information for Patients and Families

The pituitary gland sits at the base of your brain, just behind the bridge of your nose. It is protected by a bony structure called the sella turcica, which is like a small cave where the pituitary gland sits. The pituitary gland is attached to the base of your brain by a thin pituitary stalk. The hypothalamus, which controls the pituitary by sending messages, is situated immediately above the pituitary gland, and it is connected to the pituitary gland by the pituitary stalk.

The pituitary gland makes several important hormones. Each hormone has an important role in the body. Conditions impacting the pituitary gland may result in too much or too little of these hormones, or they may have no impact at all.

What it does: In children, this hormone is essential for normal height growth. In adults, it controls energy levels and well-being. It is also important for maintaining muscle and bone mass and appropriate fat distribution in the body.

Symptoms of too much GH: 

• Rapid height growth in children
• Headaches
• Vision changes
• Excessive sweating
• Increase in size of hands/feet/head/jaw, even after completion of height growth

Symptoms of too little GH:

• Slow height growth in children with a decrease in height percentiles over time
• Increased fat tissue of the abdomen and face
• Fatigue

What it does: TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone called thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone controls many bodily functions, including heart rate, temperature and metabolism. In children, thyroid hormone is important for growth and pubertal development.

Symptoms of too much TSH or thyroid hormone: 

• Rapid height growth in children
• Irregular periods
• Jitteriness
• Increased anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Excess sweating
• Palpitations
• Feeling hot all the time

Symptoms of too little TSH or thyroid hormone: 

• Slow height growth or delayed puberty in children
• Irregular periods
• Worsening fatigue
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Feeling cold all the time

What it does: ACTH gives instructions to your adrenal glands (small glands on top of your kidneys) to produce a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol promotes normal metabolism and maintains blood sugar levels and blood pressure. It provides resistance to stress and acts as an inflammatory agent. Cortisol also helps to regulate fluid balance in the body.

Symptoms of too much ACTH or cortisol: 

• Slow height growth in children
• Rapid weight gain, especially on the abdomen and face
• Fatigue
• High blood sugars
• High blood pressure
• Wide purple stretch marks
• Loss of muscles in arms and legs

Symptoms of too little ACTH or cortisol: 

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar. Too little cortisol can be life-threatening due to low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

What it does: 

• LH and FSH work together to control pubertal development and reproduction. They stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, and they stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. 
• Estrogen helps with the growth of breasts and reproductive organs. It also strengthens bones and has a positive effect on the heart. 
• Testosterone is responsible for masculine characteristics, including hair growth on the face and body, and muscle development. It is essential for producing sperm and strengthening the bones.

Symptoms of too much LH or FSH: 

• Early pubertal development and rapid height growth in children or irregular periods.

Symptoms of too little LH or FSH: 

• Delayed puberty in children
• Irregular periods in females
• Breast development in males
• Decreased sexual function and fertility 

What it does: Prolactin stimulates the breasts to produce milk and is secreted in large amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is, however, present in small amounts at all times in both males and females.

Symptoms of too much prolactin:

• Fluid leakage from nipple
• Delayed puberty in children
• Irregular periods
• Decreased sexual function and fertility 

Symptoms of too little prolactin: 

• Decreased ability for a nursing mother to produce milk
• No symptoms in males or non-lactating females 

What it does: AVP helps control how much water your kidneys hold onto. It makes sure your body does not lose too much water by urination.

Symptoms of too much AVP: 

• Decreased urination
• Low blood sodium level
• Concentrated urine (determined by urine tests)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Seizures
  
   

• Excessive urination and thirst
• Bedwetting
• Slow weight gain in babies
• High blood sodium levels
• Diluted urine (determined by urine tests)
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Muscle twitching
• Severe symptoms may occur with very high blood sodium levels and include confusion, lethargy, coma and seizures.