Symptoms
Symptoms arise from:
Compression From Tumor
- Blurred vision
- Loss of visual field
- Poor temperature control
Insufficient Hormones
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Insufficient levels of gonadotropins
- In premenopausal women causes: missing menstrual cycles, infertility , osteoporosis , vaginal dryness, as well as loss or reduction in female characteristics
- In men causes: impotence , reduced size of testes, decreased production of sperm, infertility , breast enlargement, reduced muscle mass, and loss or reduction in male characteristics (eg, beard growth)
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Insufficient levels of growth hormone
- In children causes: stunted growth or dwarfism
- In adults causes: weakness, obesity , reduced cardiac output, low blood sugar levels, and reduced exercise tolerance
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Insufficient levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones
- Leads to underactive thyroid , which causes confusion, hair loss, weakness, slow heart rate, muscle stiffness, intolerance to cold, constipation , weight gain, and dry skin
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Insufficient corticotrophic levels
- Leads to underactive adrenal gland: causes low blood pressure, low blood sugar , fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, and low stress tolerance
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Excessive prolactin levels
- Causes women to have missed periods, infertility, and milk secretion
- Men causes: reduced facial and body hair and small testes
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
- MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
- Blood tests—to measure hormone levels
- Stimulation tests—to test the reserve of the endocrine glands, especially the pituitary gland
- Semen analysis—in males suspected of infertility
