Pituitary Gland Health Article

Hyperpituitarism

The overproduction of growth hormone during childhood produces a condition known as gigantism or acromegaly. Excessive secretion of anterior pituitary hormones is known as hyperpituitarism. Growth hormone influences the overgrowth of the skeleton and all other tissues. A person may grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) or more in height. It is still unclear, but researchers think that over-production of growth hormone may be caused by an adenoma (tumor) on the anterior pituitary. Sometimes, this condition occurs in more than one member of the family, suggesting that there is a genetic component. Gigantism is treated by removing the tumor and administering medications (bromocriptine and octreotide) that inhibit the production of growth hormone.

Diabetes insipidus

A disorder related to both the hypothalamus and the posterior lobe of the pituitary is diabetes insipidus, not to be confused with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus, or DI, is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). As a result, water is rapidly released from the body through large volumes of urine (3–30 quarts per day). DI may result from an inherited trait; from damage to the hypothalamus, which synthesizes ADH; or from damage to the posterior pituitary, which stores the ADH. Diabetes insipidus occurs more frequently in men than in women. In mild cases, no treatment is necessary other than water replacement. In extreme cases, the patient can be treated by hormone replacement therapy.

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Sally C. McFarlane-Parrott