Pituitary Gland Disorders
Pituitary Gland Disorder Care at UVM Health
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that makes and sends hormones to other glands in your endocrine system. Your endocrine system makes and releases hormones. The pituitary gland is often called the “master endocrine gland” because it controls the function of your whole endocrine system.
Pituitary gland disorders can affect your fertility, mood, metabolism and other body functions.
Why Choose UVM Health?
These complex conditions require specialized care from experienced endocrinologists. You’ll find this expertise – along with the latest treatments and compassionate care — at University of Vermont Health.
As one of the region’s only comprehensive endocrinology programs, we offer:
- Expertise in pituitary disorders: Your care team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained endocrinologists who specialize in pituitary gland disorders. If you need surgery, we partner with UVM Health neurosurgeons who excel in minimally invasive procedures.
- Research-based care: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are researchers, many of whom are training the next generation of endocrine disorder specialists.
- Streamlined access to expert care: You have access to skilled endocrinologists at locations throughout the region. You also have the option of scheduling digital health visits or communicating with your care team via MyChart.
What Is the Pituitary Gland?
Your pituitary gland has two lobes, each of which makes and releases different hormones.
The front section of the pituitary gland produces:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal glands to make cortisol, a hormone released in response to stressful situations
- Gonadotropins: Cause the secretion of sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) for reproduction
- Growth hormone: Stimulates growth in children and regulates metabolism and body composition (fat and muscles) in adults
- Prolactin: Aids breast tissue development and lactation
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Causes the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism
The back section of the pituitary gland makes:
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): Regulates water and electrolyte levels (sodium and potassium) in the blood
- Oxytocin: Plays a role in uterine contractions during childbirth, as well as breast milk production
Types of Pituitary Gland Disorders
We offer comprehensive, compassionate care for all types of pituitary gland disorders, including:
A pituitary adenoma is a noncancerous (benign) growth on the pituitary gland. There are different types of benign pituitary tumors:
- Nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma: The growth is inactive, meaning it doesn’t affect hormone production. However, a large growth may put pressure on the gland or surrounding brain structures. You may need treatment if you have symptoms like chronic headaches or vision changes.
- Functioning pituitary adenoma: The growth is active, meaning it causes the pituitary gland to make too much hormone (hypersecretion) or too little hormone (hyposecretion).
- Prolactinoma: The most common pituitary tumor, prolactinoma causes an excess of prolactin (hyperprolactinemia). Too much prolactin can lower sex hormones, causing infertility, diminished sex drive and other issues.
An overactive pituitary gland overproduces pituitary hormones (hyperpituitarism). A noncancerous (benign) pituitary adenoma is often the cause.
High pituitary hormone levels can cause:
- Acromegaly: Excess growth hormone that affects bones and tissues
- Adrenal gland disorders: Such as Cushing syndrome
- Hyperprolactinemia: Excess prolactin that causes infertility
- Thyroid disease: Such as an overactive thyroid gland
Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (the part of your brain that connects your endocrine and nervous systems) can cause low levels of one or more pituitary hormones.
Low pituitary hormone levels can cause:
- Diabetes insipidus: Excessive urination due to low antidiuretic hormone
- Growth hormone deficiency: Slowed childhood growth and slow metabolism in adults
- Hypogonadism: Underproduction of the sex hormones that affect sexual development, sexual function and reproduction
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency: Low cortisol levels
- Underactive thyroid gland: Low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism)
Diagnosing Pituitary Gland Disorders
Our team uses the latest tests to diagnose pituitary gland disorders:
- Blood tests: Blood tests measure hormones, electrolyte levels and antibodies. You may also receive medication before a blood test to see if it affects your hormone levels.
- Imaging tests: A CT scan or MRI produces images of your pituitary glands, brain and other structures. These scans can detect growths (pituitary adenomas) and other issues.
- Urine test: This test checks for hormones in urine.
Pituitary Gland Disorder Treatment
Your body can’t function as it should without proper levels of pituitary hormones. Our endocrinology team offers the latest treatments to protect the health of your body’s master gland and prevent complications. You receive a customized treatment plan based on your unique diagnosis.
An inactive, nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma may not need immediate treatment. Our team will closely monitor your health. You may need treatment if your symptoms worsen.
During active surveillance, you may get frequent:
- Blood tests to measure your hormone levels
- Imaging scans to monitor pituitary tumor growth
- Physical examinations to evaluate your symptoms
Medications for pituitary gland disorders:
- Block a hormone’s effects on the body
- Lower hormone levels
- Replace missing hormones (hormone replacement therapy)
- Shrink growths (pituitary adenomas)
Depending on the diagnosis, you may need surgery to remove your pituitary gland (an adenomectomy). After surgery, you’ll need to take daily pituitary hormone replacement medications for life.
We partner with UVM Health neurosurgeons for pituitary gland surgery. Our neurosurgeons specialize in minimally invasive transsphenoidal adenomectomies. They use a scope device (endoscope) to remove the gland through the sphenoid sinus (a hollow space behind the nasal passages). This approach promotes a faster recovery while minimizing pain, scarring and infection risk.
After surgery, lab experts perform a biopsy to test the pituitary gland for signs of cancer. Cancerous pituitary tumors are extremely uncommon. Should you need treatment, you receive expert care from UVM Health cancer specialists.
Radiation therapy may be an alternative to gland-removal surgery. Radiation therapy also destroys lingering tumor cells after surgery. There are different types of radiation therapy that target pituitary tumors. Radiation therapy is available at locations across UVM Health.
Locations Near You
62 Tilley Drive
Suite 202
South Burlington, VT 05403-4407
133 Park Street
Second Floor
Malone, NY 12953-1244
130 Fisher Road
MOB-A Suite 3
Berlin, VT 05602-9516
210 Cornelia Street
Suite 303
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2318
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, East Pavilion, Level 5
Burlington, VT 05401-1473