Patient education / Pituitary Disorders
Pituitary Disorders
Simple answers to common questions about prolactin, pituitary tumours, acromegaly, Cushing disease and other pituitary hormone disorders.
The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain, but it controls several important hormones involved in growth, reproduction, thyroid function, adrenal function and water balance. Pituitary disorders can therefore affect many parts of the body.
Explore topics
Select a shorter guide for answers to common questions.
Understanding the Pituitary Gland
What is the pituitary gland? · Why is the pituitary called the “master gland”?
Read questionsHigh Prolactin
What is prolactin? · What does a high prolactin level mean?
Read questionsProlactinoma
What is a prolactinoma? · Is a prolactinoma cancer?
Read questionsPituitary Tumours
What is a pituitary tumour? · Are all pituitary tumours hormone-producing?
Read questionsAcromegaly
What is acromegaly? · What happens in acromegaly?
Read questionsCushing Disease
What is Cushing disease? · What is the difference between Cushing syndrome and Cushing disease?
Read questionsPituitary Hormone Deficiency
What is hypopituitarism? · What symptoms can pituitary hormone deficiency cause?
Read questionsGrowth Hormone Disorders
What happens when growth hormone is excessive in children? · What happens when growth hormone is deficient in children?
Read questionsDiabetes Insipidus & Water Balance
What is diabetes insipidus? · Is diabetes insipidus the same as diabetes mellitus?
Read questionsPituitary MRI & Hormone Testing
Why do I need an MRI of the pituitary? · Does a pituitary MRI mean that I have a tumour?
Read questionsPituitary Disorders & Fertility
Can pituitary disorders cause infertility? · Can men with pituitary disease have low testosterone?
Read questionsPituitary Disorders & Pregnancy
Can women with pituitary tumours become pregnant? · Can a prolactinoma affect pregnancy planning?
Read questionsCommon Myths
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?
Read questions