Pituitary disorders can cause a range of symptoms. They can also be challenging to diagnose. They share these traits:

• The pituitary gland may raise or lower one or more hormones.
• A hormone imbalance can cause physical or mood changes. At the same time, pituitary disorders often develop slowly. It may take a long time until you notice symptoms.
• Symptoms of pituitary disorders are similar to those of other diseases. Many people are misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed.

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What does the pituitary gland do?

First, it helps to understand the pituitary gland.

The “master gland”: The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea. It sits at the base of the brain, roughly behind the bridge of your nose. It’s often called the “master gland” because it produces several hormones and controls other glands, such as the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands.

Pituitary disorders

Pituitary disorders occur when the pituitary gland makes too much or too little of a particular hormone. Most often, these disorders are caused by a pituitary tumor.

Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign). But when a tumor grows on or near the pituitary gland, the tumor can:

• Change hormone production, leading to symptoms such as weight gain, stunted or excessive growth, high blood pressure, low sex drive or mood changes.
• Press against the pituitary gland, optic nerves or brain tissue, causing vision problems or headaches.

Learn more about diagnosis and treatment for pituitary disorders at the OHSU Pituitary Center.

Hormones the pituitary gland makes

The pituitary gland produces many hormones that regulate bodily functions:

Who gets pituitary disorders?

Pituitary disorders can affect people of any age or sex.

Inherited disorders: If you have a family history of certain genetic conditions, you have a higher chance of developing a pituitary disorder. Genetic conditions include:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I)
• Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA)

Consider talking with your doctor about genetic testing. The OHSU Neuro Genetics Clinic can advise you about your level of risk as well as testing options.

Rare disorders: Many pituitary disorders are uncommon. At the same time, estimates for the number of people with acromegaly or Cushing disease/syndrome may be too low. Estimates include:

• About six to 11 people in 100,000 live with acromegaly, a disorder caused by too much growth hormone.
• About 10 to 15 people per million are diagnosed with Cushing disease/syndrome, caused by too much cortisol, each year in the U.S.
• Craniopharyngiomas, noncancerous pituitary tumors, affect one or two people per million each year in the U.S.

What causes pituitary disorders?

Noncancerous pituitary tumors are the main cause of pituitary disorders. Tumors often cause your body to make too much or too little of a hormone, leading to a disorder such as acromegaly.

Other common causes of pituitary disorders include:

• Head injury
• Bleeding in or near the pituitary gland
• Some medications and cancer treatments

Types of pituitary disorders

Doctors classify each pituitary tumor based on whether it produces hormones.

• Secretory tumors, also called functioning adenomas, affect hormone production. Some people produce too much of a hormone, called hypersecretion. Others experience hyposecretion, or not having enough of a hormone.
• Nonsecretory tumors, also called nonfunctioning adenomas, do not affect hormone production. However, when they grow too large, they can press on the pituitary gland and other brain structures, causing headaches and vision problems.

Learn more about these pituitary disorders:

• Acromegaly
• Craniopharyngioma
• Cushing disease/syndrome
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma
• Prolactinoma
• Rathke’s cleft cyst

Signs and symptoms of pituitary disorders

Specific symptoms often depend on the disorder and hormone affected. A tumor’s location and size play roles, too. Common symptoms include:

• Anxiety or depression
• Diabetes
• Hair loss
• High blood pressure
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Unexpected breast milk production
• Low energy or low sex drive
• Stunted growth or unusual growth spurts
• Unexplained weight gain
• Vision changes

Learn more

• Pituitary Disorders, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Pituitary Gland, Home Health Network
• Pituitary Tumors Information Page, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Pituitary Tumors: Condition Information, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development