Pituitary Disorders
The pituitary gland is a small gland found just beneath the brain. It produces hormones that control many other glands in the body. Pituitary disorders happen when the gland produces either too much or too little of one or more hormones, affecting many other processes in the body.
What are pituitary disorders?
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland that’s located underneath the brain and produces hormones that allow other glands in the body to function properly. Pituitary disorders occur when the pituitary gland makes too much or too little of a particular hormone.
The most common pituitary disorders include:
acromegaly
adult growth hormone deficiency
craniopharyngioma
Cushing's Disease
diabetes insipidus
hypopituitarism
non-functioning tumours
prolactinoma
Pituitary disorders are rare, with an estimated 70,000 people affected in the UK, but they can have wide-ranging effects on growth, metabolism, and other bodily functions. They may develop at any age and can affect both men and women.
At Welbeck, our expert endocrinologists diagnose and treat patients with pituitary disorders in our state-of-the-art Endocrinology centre. They have access to the most advanced diagnostics and treatment options to ensure you receive the best possible care.
More information
The symptoms of pituitary disorders depend on whether the pituitary gland is producing too much, or too little hormone, and can vary from person to person. If the symptoms are being caused by a pituitary tumour, this may also press on nearby structures, such as the optic nerve, which can affect vision.
Symptoms of pituitary disorders can include:
unexplained weight gain or weight loss
fatigue and weakness
changes in blood pressure
mood changes or depression
reduced sex drive or fertility problems
excessive or stunted growth
headaches or changes in vision
Pituitary disorders are caused by the pituitary gland becoming overactive or underactive. This is most commonly caused by genetic conditions, or by pressure being put on the gland from the development of a benign (non-cancerous) tumour, called a pituitary adenoma.
Other, rarer, causes can include:
head injury
bleeding near or within the gland
complications after brain surgery or radiotherapy
certain medicines, including some cancer treatments
Certain genetic conditions including multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I) and familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) increase the risk of developing pituitary disorders.
At your initial consultation, your endocrinologist will talk to you about your symptoms and medical history. Pituitary disorders are usually diagnosed with a combination of blood tests and imaging of the pituitary gland, using MRI or CT scans.
Once any imaging and blood tests are completed, your consultant will arrange a follow up appointment with you to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options.
It’s not usually possible to prevent pituitary disorders, but if you have a known genetic risk, early detection and management through regular health checks can help prevent complications.
Without diagnosis and proper treatment, pituitary disorders can lead to long-term health complications. These can arise from hormone imbalances or from the pressure of a growing tumour on surrounding structures.
Possible complications include:
vision loss
infertility due to disrupted hormone levels affecting ovulation or sperm production
osteoporosis
diabetes
high blood pressure
cardiovascular problems
adrenal crisis – a medical emergency caused by low cortisol levels
fatigue and mood disorders
Early detection and regular monitoring can help prevent these complications, and reduce long-term effects.
Treatment options will depend on the cause and type of hormone imbalance you have. Many pituitary disorders can be effectively managed with medication, or hormone replacement therapy. At Welbeck, our on-site pharmacy ensures medications recommended by our consultants can be dispensed promptly after your appointment.
Treatment options may include:
hormone replacement therapy – to restore normal hormone levels
medication – to shrink a tumour or reduce hormone production
surgery – to remove a pituitary tumour
radiotherapy – if a tumour cannot be fully removed, or continues to grow
If part of the pituitary gland is removed during surgery, you may need lifelong hormone replacement.
At Welbeck, our endocrinologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
Our specialists
Dr Florian WernigConsultant Endocrinologist
Professor Shern ChewConsultant Endocrinologist- Dr Vassiliki BravisConsultant Endocrinologist
Dr Scott AkkerConsultant Endocrinologist
Dr Sachit ShahConsultant Neuroradiologist
Dr Candy SzeConsultant Endocrinologist
Professor Maralyn DruceConsultant Endocrinologist
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Frequently asked questions
No, the pituitary gland is not part of the brain, so a pituitary tumour is not classed as a brain tumour.
Almost all pituitary tumours are non-cancerous (benign) and stay within the pituitary gland. However, they still need to be identified and treated, since even benign tumours can cause significant health problems. In very rare situations – about 1% – a pituitary tumour may be cancerous and spread if not treated.
In some cases, a pituitary tumour can return after treatment or surgery, especially if not all of the tumour was removed. Regular follow-up appointments, hormone tests, and imaging are important to monitor for any signs of recurrence. Most people do well with ongoing care, and if a tumour does return, it can often be managed effectively with further treatment.
If the underlying cause of a pituitary disorder can be treated, hormone levels may return to normal – for example, if the imbalance is due to certain medications or a treatable inflammation. However, many pituitary disorders result from genetic conditions or permanent damage to the pituitary gland, and therefore require lifelong treatment to manage hormone balance.