What is a Pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is a small, oval-shaped gland at the base of the brain. It is below the nerves that lead to and from the eyes. These are called the optic nerves.
The pituitary gland makes hormones. These control other hormone-producing glands in the body, such as the adrenal and thyroid glands. Hormones are chemical messengers that help control how organs and tissues in the body work.
The pituitary gland is divided into two parts which produce different hormones:
- the anterior (front)
- posterior (back).
- the growth hormone
- The anterior pituitary gland produces different hormones
Growth hormone-secreting tumours
Over-production of growth of hormones can cause a condition called acromegaly. This symptoms such as:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- excess sweating
- sleep apnoea syndrome (pauses in breathing during sleep).
pituitary gland, causing it to make fewer hormones.
- Breast growth, less facial hair, and trouble getting erections (men)
- Feeling cold
- Fewer menstrual periods or no mother’s milk (women)
- Growth and sexual development delays (children)
- Throwing up
- changes in weight