Pituitary gland!?
Question:
Answers:
"The Master Gland." and it sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions. In addition, the pituitary gland produces growth hormone for normal development of height and prolactin for milk production.
This information was taken from the following website:
http://www.pituitary.org/faq/
Pituitary tumors can be deadly if not treated, but I don't think an imbalance would cause death.
Try researching by googling Pituitary gland disorders.
Hi,
The pituitary produces a range of hormones; ACTH, THS, FSH, LSH, Vassopressin, Growth hormone, MSH and Oxytocin. These all affect different body organs and both over or under production of any of these hormones can cause various problems within the endocrine system, which in the long term if unresolved can cause problems. For example too excess ACTH means the adrenal glands will make too much cortisol which causes cushings disease which has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, on the muscles, bones and body weight. If untreated mortality increases. Excess TSH will result in an overactive thyroid, too little results in underactive. Excess Growth Hormone results in Acromegaly. To little Vassopressin (anti diuretic hormone) results in a condition called Diabetes Insipidus which is the inability of the kidneys to retain water.
The pituitary is very complex and can cause an wide range of conditions if it malfunctions. There are many symptoms however most are not imminently life threatening.
The only very serious and immediate threat is if your cortisol levels are too low if the pituitary is not producing enough ACTH. This condition is known as Addisons disease and it is vital that the patient receives daily steriod replacement with hydrocortisone - the dose of which needs to be increased in times of stress or illness as this is the bodies stress hormone. If you have insufficient cortisol you will go into adrenal shock and could die, this is a medical emergency.
Pituitary malfunction is usually caused by a benign tumour on the gland which can be removed by transsphenoidal surgery and or radiotheraphy. It is not cancerous and with replacement therapy after surgery prognosis is excellent.
More Questions & Answers...