Pituitary tumor

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Endocrine glands

Tumor - pituitary

Most pituitary tumors produce too much of one or more hormones. As a result, symptoms of one or more of the following conditions can occur:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Cushing syndrome
• Gigantism or acromegaly
• Nipple discharge

Symptoms caused by pressure from a larger pituitary tumor may include:

• Headache
• Lethargy
• Nasal drainage
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with the sense of smell
• Visual changes
  • Double vision
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Visual field loss

Rarely, these symptoms may occur suddenly and can be severe.

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination. The provider will note any problems with double vision and visual field, such as a loss of peripheral vision or the ability to see in certain areas.

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Endocrine function tests include:

• Cortisol levels:
  • Dexamethasone suppression test
  • Urine cortisol test
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
• Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
• Serum prolactin levels
• Testosterone/estradiol levels
• Thyroid hormone levels:
  • Free T4 test
  • TSH test

Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:

• Formal visual field testing
• MRI of head

Review Date: 11/23/2009
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).