Why would you have an enlarged pituitary gland?

In some cases, enlargement of the pituitary is due to hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells), which may be a response to low levels of hormones from other glands (for example, low levels of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland cause the pituitary to enlarge in order to produce more thyroid stimulating hormone …

How do you treat an enlarged pituitary gland?

Doctors generally use surgery, radiation therapy and medications, either alone or in combination, to treat a pituitary tumor and return hormone production to normal levels.

Is an enlarged pituitary gland a tumor?

Large pituitary tumors — those measuring about 1 centimeter (slightly less than a half-inch) or larger — are known as macroadenomas. Smaller tumors are called microadenomas. Because of the size of macroadenomas, they can put pressure on the normal pituitary gland and nearby structures.

Can stress cause enlarged pituitary gland?

Findings from this longitudinal study shed light on the stress-induced enlargement of the pituitary gland and draw attention to a potential link between this abnormal development and the progression of mental disorders.

How serious is an enlarged pituitary gland?

Enlargement of the pituitary gland is when a normal pituitary gland becomes bigger in size for some reason. The change in size can cause your pituitary gland to make too much or too little of certain hormones. A large pituitary may also push on the nerves that connect your eyes to your brain and cause vision problems.

How do you know if something is wrong with your pituitary gland?

Change hormone production, leading to symptoms such as weight gain, stunted or excessive growth, high blood pressure, low sex drive or mood changes. Press against the pituitary gland, optic nerves or brain tissue, causing vision problems or headaches.

Can you see pituitary gland on CT scan?

Computed tomography (CT) scan CT scans can find a pituitary adenoma if it’s large enough, but MRI scans are used much more often to look at the brain and pituitary gland.

Which side of the brain is the pituitary gland located?

Your pituitary (hypophysis) is a pea-sized endocrine gland at the base of your brain, behind the bridge of your nose and directly below your hypothalamus. It sits in an indent in the sphenoid bone called the sella turcica.