What does it mean if your pituitary gland is enlarged?

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.

Can your pituitary gland affect your thyroid?

TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas are benign tumours of the pituitary gland. They produce too much thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which causes the thyroid gland to enlarge and produce thyroid hormone in excess, leading to an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

What does an enlarged thyroid gland indicate?

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes the neck to swell. A goiter is one of the most common thyroid disorders. It does not necessarily mean that the thyroid is functioning incorrectly. In some cases, however, it can signal an underlying thyroid disease that needs treatment.

Is an enlarged pituitary gland a tumor?

What causes enlargement of the pituitary gland? Causes of a large pituitary gland include: A pituitary tumor (most common cause) Bleeding into the pituitary gland.

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.

What causes elevated pituitary levels?

A high prolactin level may result from a pituitary tumor which is releasing too much prolactin. Pituitary tumors are actually fairly common. They are rarely cancerous, but they can cause problems either by over-producing a hormone such as prolactin, or by growing in size and pressing on surrounding structures.

What is the recovery time from pituitary tumor removal?

For the first few weeks after surgery, you may feel tired, have a headache, or slight nasal congestion, but these symptoms should gradually improve. And within 2 weeks, you should be back to your normal daily activities, including work. Removing a pituitary tumor may cause abnormal hormone levels.

What is the treatment for pituitary gland?

Medical therapy Most people with a pituitary condition will require treatment with drugs, either on their own or in addition to surgery and/ or radiotherapy. These drugs may be used to reduce the levels of a hormone that your pituitary is overproducing, or to replace a hormone that your pituitary is under producing.

Does a pituitary gland enlargement mean tumor?

Enlargement of the pituitary gland is usually due to a tumor but may be due to bleeding into the gland or involvement by some other disease, such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis. An enlarged pituitary gland may cause symptoms such as headaches.