Pituitary/Hormonal Difficulties: Signs and Symptoms and What to Ask Your Physician

Symptoms:  Often individual symptoms get treated in today’s world, not underlying causes.  If many of the following are present and are significant to you, talk with your doctor or find a doctor who is qualified to pursue further evaluation. Qualified physicians can be found in the medical resources section of this website.

1. Headaches, particularly with a sudden onset and in the center of the head
2. Sexual difficulties (painful intercourse, low libido, erectile dysfunction)
3. Depression and/or changes in mood (anger, depression, anxiety), “bipolar” diagnosis
4. Recent and or sudden onset of family, friend relationship difficulties in conjunction with physical symptoms on this list including loss of relationships resulting in isolation, loneliness
5. Infertility
6. Growth abnormalities/changes especially of the hands (large fingers), feet, head, jaw and separation of teeth
7. Obesity (especially in the central area of the body), especially weight gain over a short time, rounding or “moon face”, a large bump/hump on the back on the neck/back. Note: if you suddenly are unable to manage your weight with proper diet and increased activity/exercise, this is a hormonal red flag.
8. Eating disorders:  excessive weight loss, gain, bulimia. (loss of interest in food or uncontrollable urges to eat)
9. Vision changes including loss of peripheral vision, blurring etc. especially with sudden onset
10. Skin thinning, stretch marks, bruising easily, acne and cuts or abrasions/pimples that don’t seem to heal
11. Carpel tunnel syndrome
12. Menstrual difficulties (irregular periods, discontinued, painful, no ovulation, anything not usual for your cycle), early menopause
13. Fatigue, weakness in the limbs, general muscle weakness
14. Hypertension
15. Arthritis, aching joints, osteoporosis
16. Loss of sleep, changes in sleep cycle
17. Memory impairments, poor concentration
18. Unusual hair growth (on chest, face etc.) or hair loss (falling out in clumps)
19. Skin and hair that becomes extremely dry, scaly and discolored.
20. Lactation not associated with pregnancy (breast leakage…even for men)
21. History of emotional/physical trauma and/or chronic stress
22. Depersonalization i.e. feeling detached from one’s own body/mind

Remember:  No one symptom is indicative of a Pituitary tumor but it is important to investigate further and to TRUST your own body/intuition.  Continue to ask medical/mental health professionals until you feel satisfied.  Keep a log/record of your symptoms and keep a log of when your symptoms developed.  Ask your family, friends if they notice any changes or differences in your behavior or looks.  Share your notes and observations with your doctors and mental health professionals. (or purchase a Patient Resource guide from PNA which has a wonderful patient manual for tracking self care, appointments, symptoms and treatments)

If:  you suspect a problem you need to specifically ask your doctor for the following medical tests  (and ask for exact results not normal/not normal): .
*ACTH *Cortisol  *Estradiol (E2) Extract/Testosterone  *GH  *FSH *LH  *Prolactin  *Somatomedin-C (IGF-1)
*PSA (males)  *Free T3  *Free T4  *Total T4  *TSH  *24 Hour urine FREE Cortisol (ideally 3 or more tests to rule-out error or hormone cycling)

Then:   If test results show problems, or if the results are within “normal” ranges but you still have symptoms and are not getting answers you trust then you must be seen by a physician who specializes in pituitary tumors and hormonal disturbances (Pituitary Endocrinologist, Pituitary Neurosurgeon etc.). Such doctors are listed on the PNA website.

A mental health professional may also be able to assist you and your family as you go through the struggle of medical tests and dealing with the symptoms.   It is important to find a professional who has some understanding of your physical state, specialized training, and/or willingness to learn about Neuroendocrine disorders.