Pituitary Gland

How does the loss of pituitary gland function happen?

A Answers (1)

  • Pituitary tumors are growths which impair the normal function of your pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is often considered the "master gland." It regulates most of the body's hormonal balance. One of the hormones created by the pituitary gland is growth hormone.

    If your pituitary gland produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), this is called Cushing's disease. The symptoms of Cushing's disease include:

    • Fat accumulations in the face, above the clavicles, and the back of the neck
    • Skin thinning
    • Purple to red streaks in the skin
    • Muscle wasting leading resulting in difficulty in getting up from a chair
    • Osteopenia or osteoporosis - this is when bone density is lower than normal. It puts you at an increased risk for fractures.
    • Impaired defense mechanisms against infections
    • Hypertension leading to congestive heart failure
    • Hirsutism - this means an unusual amount of hair in females
    • Emotional mood swings - including anxiety, irritability, euphoria, or depression
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What causes pituitary gland failure?