ACTH deficiency: ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol is essential for life. When cortisol is inadequate, patients experience fatigue, weakness, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure and may develop shock and die unless treated. TSH deficiency: TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. Low thyroid hormone causes fatigue (loss of energy), weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and feeling cold.

We have synthetic hormones that patients take either by mouth or injection to replace the missing hormones from the malfunctioning pituitary gland.

A general answer to this question is that you should know as much as possible. Hormones are powerful drugs, and have potentially serious side effects. This is why it's such a good idea to work through an endocrinologist when starting on hormones; he will check your medical history and your general health, and will work with you to monitor your progress while maintaining your physical safety. I strongly recommend doing some background reading before you visit the doctor.

Some herbal products contain or mimic hormones, and some people feel that this is a viable alternative to going through the medical profession. I don't recommend this approach for the following reasons: Hormones carry sufficient health risks that medical monitoring is a very good idea. Along with the general concern about side effects, medical monitoring is important to establish a correct dosage.

No. Some herbs contain phyto-oestrogens (plant-steroids), but these are not the same as human hormones. Sometimes we may use a homeopathic called progesteronum to encourage the body to produce more progesterone, but this is only done on a case by case scenario if necessary. Your therapist will communicate with you and let you know if they feel this is appropriate. Because it is a homeopathic preparation this is thousands of times less concentrated than any synthetic medication you would take.

Are you getting paid or compensated in any way by any of the companies or web sites you link to? [ Updated March 01, 2005 ] Oh yeah, well how do you explain this picture? Obviously that bruise is from steroid use.[ Updated June 23, 2003 ] Why do you look so tense in your daily pictures? Why don't you smile in them? Why are your arms "puffed" out? [ Updated February 09, 2004 ]

A pituitary tumor is a tumor that begins in the pituitary gland. Most pituitary tumors are not cancer. In fact, cancerous pituitary tumors are so rare that state and national cancer agencies keep no record of how many people get them each year. Benign (non-cancerous) pituitary tumors are also rare. About 3,000 people get them each year.

The pituitary gland is a small gland located behind the nasal sinuses and above the roof of the mouth at the base of the skull. It is connected to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain. Together, the two control the production of many of the important hormones in the body. The pituitary gland sits in a tight bony space and has little room to grow or expand when swollen or if there is a tumor.

CDI itself does not interfere with menstruation or fertility. However, it may be associated with these or other problems if the disease or injury that caused the DI also damages adjacent parts of the brain or pituitary where other hormones are normally produced. Head trauma is one of the things that can cause this kind of collateral damage, but it does not always do so. Therefore, each patient with CDI must be evaluated separately to determine if any of the other hormones have been affected.

Pituitary tumors that affect hormones may cause a variety of symptoms, which are related to high hormone levels and production. These symptoms will be different in children than in adults. Growth hormone-secreting adenomas in children may cause: Other more rare kinds of pituitary tumors cause other symptoms. It is important for anyone who is experiencing any unusual symptoms to see their doctor.

In most cases, pituitary tumors are treated by surgery, radiation therapy, or by using drugs that block the tumor's ability to produce hormones. Surgery: The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor from the pituitary gland. This is possible with most microadenomas but may be less likely with macroadenomas. Sometimes the entire pituitary gland will have to be removed. Medications can provide the hormones that the pituitary gland used to produce.

This depends on the type of tumor and the size of the tumor. A large tumor may cause loss of vision, particularly peripheral vision, if it compresses the optic chiasm (where the optic [eye] nerves converge). Headache may also occur; the type of headache varies from patient to patient. Headache may occur with a large or a small tumor.

A pituitary adenoma is a tumor-that is, a growth of tissue in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner. Adenomas are located just next to, or within the pituitary gland. The adenoma can be much smaller than the gland when the symptoms it causes become noticeable and the adenoma is diagnosed. Most pituitary adenomas are 'microadenomas', which measure 3 to 9 mm (1/8 to 3/8 of an inch) in diameter, although a few patients have 'macroadenomas', which are 10 mm or larger in diameter.

Answer: Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk profile and hormones you are taking in light of the WHI results.