Common Myths

“Every high prolactin level means a brain tumour.”
False. There are many causes of elevated prolactin.

“Pituitary tumours are always cancerous.”
False. Most pituitary tumours are benign.

“A pituitary tumour always needs surgery.”
False. Treatment depends on the type, size, hormone production and effects of the tumour.

“Acromegaly is just having large hands and feet.”
No. Acromegaly is a hormone disorder that can affect metabolism, bones, joints, the heart and other organs.

“Cushing syndrome is just obesity.”
No. Cushing syndrome is a specific disorder of cortisol excess and requires appropriate biochemical evaluation.

“One abnormal hormone value confirms a pituitary disease.”
Not necessarily. Pituitary hormone results often require careful interpretation and sometimes repeat testing.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?

Consider an endocrinology evaluation if you have:

• Persistently high prolactin
• Milk discharge without pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Irregular or absent periods with hormonal abnormalities
• Infertility with abnormal hormone tests
• Low testosterone with suspected pituitary disease
• A pituitary tumour or incidentaloma on MRI
• Persistent headache with visual field problems
• Increasing ring or shoe size with other features suggestive of acromegaly
• Unexplained features suggestive of cortisol excess
• Multiple pituitary hormone abnormalities
• Excessive thirst and urination with suspected water-balance disorder
• Hormone deficiencies after pituitary surgery or radiotherapy