PATIENT EDUCATION
Pituitary Disorders
The pituitary gland controls several hormonal systems. Pituitary disorders can cause hormone excess, hormone deficiency or symptoms from the size of a pituitary lesion itself.
Select a topic below to view more information.
Englishதமிழ்हिन्दी
Headache or Visual Changes With a Pituitary Finding
What you'll notice or feel
- Persistent headache.
- Reduced side vision or bumping into objects.
- Double vision or other visual changes.
- A pituitary lesion reported on MRI or CT.
Common causes
- A pituitary adenoma may press on nearby visual pathways if large.
- Headaches are common and often unrelated, so imaging findings need careful interpretation.
What it could be
- A pituitary macroadenoma requiring hormone and visual assessment.
- An incidental small lesion with no functional effect.
Initial self-care
- Keep the original MRI report and images if possible.
- Arrange formal visual-field testing if advised.
- Do not stop pituitary hormone replacement abruptly.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Sudden severe headache with visual loss, vomiting, collapse or eye-movement problems may indicate pituitary apoplexy and needs emergency care.
When to see a doctor
- A scan shows a pituitary lesion.
- Vision is changing.
- Headaches are new and progressive.
High Prolactin, Milk Discharge or Menstrual Change
What you'll notice or feel
- Milky breast discharge outside pregnancy/breastfeeding.
- Irregular or absent periods.
- Infertility or reduced libido.
- In men, reduced testosterone symptoms or sexual dysfunction.
Common causes
- A prolactinoma.
- Some medicines can raise prolactin.
- Pregnancy, hypothyroidism and other conditions can raise prolactin.
What it could be
- Hyperprolactinaemia requiring confirmation and cause evaluation.
- Prolactinoma when levels and imaging support it.
Initial self-care
- Do not stop psychiatric or anti-nausea medicines abruptly.
- Tell the clinician if pregnancy is possible.
- Bring a complete medication list.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe headache or visual loss.
When to see a doctor
- Prolactin is repeatedly high.
- There are menstrual, fertility or sexual symptoms.
- A pituitary lesion is known.
Increasing Hand/Shoe Size or Facial Changes
What you'll notice or feel
- Rings or shoes becoming larger in adulthood.
- Coarsening facial features.
- Increased sweating, headaches or joint pain.
- Snoring or sleep apnoea may worsen.
Common causes
- Excess growth hormone, usually from a pituitary adenoma.
What it could be
- Acromegaly, a rare but important pituitary hormone disorder.
Initial self-care
- Arrange specialist assessment rather than relying on appearance alone.
- Bring old photographs if changes have been gradual.
- Review glucose, blood pressure and sleep symptoms.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe headache or sudden visual loss.
When to see a doctor
- Changes are progressive.
- There is a pituitary lesion or elevated IGF-1.
- New diabetes or resistant hypertension occurs with typical physical changes.
Fatigue, Low Blood Pressure or Loss of Hormonal Function
What you'll notice or feel
- Marked fatigue or weakness.
- Low blood pressure or dizziness.
- Reduced libido, menstrual changes or erectile dysfunction.
- Cold intolerance or other symptoms of pituitary hormone deficiency.
Common causes
- Pituitary disease can reduce ACTH, TSH, gonadotropins or growth hormone.
- Pituitary surgery, radiotherapy or large adenomas can cause deficiency.
What it could be
- Hypopituitarism requiring systematic hormone assessment.
- Adrenal insufficiency, which is particularly important to recognise.
Initial self-care
- Take prescribed hormone replacement consistently.
- Never stop steroid replacement suddenly.
- Carry steroid/emergency information if you have known adrenal insufficiency.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Vomiting, severe weakness, low blood pressure, confusion or collapse with known ACTH deficiency requires emergency steroid treatment.
When to see a doctor
- Fatigue is accompanied by multiple hormonal symptoms.
- You have had pituitary surgery or radiotherapy.
- A pituitary lesion is known.
Pituitary Incidentaloma
What you'll notice or feel
- A small pituitary lesion found on imaging done for another reason.
- No obvious hormonal symptoms.
- Uncertainty about whether follow-up is required.
Common causes
- Small benign pituitary adenomas and cysts are often incidental.
What it could be
- A non-functioning incidental lesion.
- A hormone-secreting lesion discovered before symptoms become obvious.
Initial self-care
- Keep the original scan and report.
- Do not assume every pituitary lesion requires surgery.
- Hormone screening and visual assessment depend on lesion size and location.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Sudden severe headache or visual loss.
When to see a doctor
- The lesion is close to the optic pathways.
- There are hormone abnormalities.
- Recommended follow-up imaging is overdue.
YOUR CONSULTATION
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Review of headaches, vision, menstrual/sexual symptoms, medicines and previous pituitary treatment.
- Blood tests assess relevant pituitary axes rather than one hormone in isolation.
- MRI findings are interpreted together with hormone results and lesion size.
- Formal visual-field testing is arranged when the lesion approaches the optic pathways or symptoms suggest compression.
- Some functioning pituitary tumours respond well to medication; others require neurosurgical or multidisciplinary care.
- Long-term hormone replacement is tailored when pituitary deficiency is present.
* IMPORTANT: A Note Before You Go
Pituitary test results can be difficult to interpret because hormones vary by time of day, stress and medication. Specialist interpretation is particularly important when several pituitary hormones are involved.
This page provides general educational information and cannot replace an individual medical assessment. If symptoms are persistent, worsening or concerning, arrange appropriate medical review.
NEED AN ASSESSMENT?
Arrange an Endocrinology Consultation
For non-emergency assessment or follow-up, appointments are booked through the hospital’s central appointment desk on 0422 432 4433. For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.