The pituitary gland, also known as the ‘master gland’ of the body is often referred to as ‘the master gland’ because it controls so many functions of the human endocrine system.
Found at the base of your brain, it controls many of your body’s major functions. Located near the cerebrospinal fluid in the back of the brain, it surrounds the hypothalamus, a structure that produces the hormones that regulate many of your body functions. The pituitary acts as an amplifier and as a regulator of your endocrine system.
The primary role of the pituitary is to secrete the hormone melatonin. This hormone is vital to our bodies in ensuring that we have a good night’s sleep and that we do not get sleepy in the daytime. Melatonin has many important functions, such as regulating our appetite, immune systems and many of our body processes.
Pituitaries are also responsible for production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is vital to the regulation of our moods and anxiety levels. As well as being the master gland of our bodies, it also plays a major part in the body’s metabolism. It converts food into energy and provides the fuel that all our organs require to function properly.
Pituitaries produce hormones for a number of functions.
It has a variety of hormones produced by it, which include: melatonin, cortisol, thyroxine, ACTH, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), progesterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTRH) and growth hormone (GH).
Pituitaries secrete hormones during the course of our lives in response to specific situations, such as: puberty, pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and aging. The levels of hormone secretion can vary widely between individuals depending on their age and general health.
Pituitaries secreted hormones, as well as the hormones produced from the other glands and tissues in the body affect many of our daily activities. When we sleep, our pituitaries produce melatonin, which is a hormone that we often take for granted but is critical for good sleep.
Other hormones secreted by the pituitsal glands are: serotonin, which regulates mood, pain relief, appetite, sleep, digestion, immunity, and other processes, and thyroxine which help control sugar. Thyroid hormones also control the production of growth hormones and the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a male sex hormone. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a hormone produced by the pituitsals which stimulates growth, fat and bone growth, menstruation, and sexual development.
All of these hormones produced by the pituitsal glands function together in a complex system. This is why many diseases affect how these glands work.
A few of the most common types of pituitary disease include: multiple myeloma, which affect the tissue directly above the pituitary gland; Leydig cells that produce abnormal amounts of the hormone thyroxine; tumors of the adrenal cortex and pituitary adenoma which occur deep within the body; and diseases of the nervous system. In addition to the above mentioned, a tumor of the pancreas can also cause symptoms such as nausea, weight loss, fever, vomiting, and jaundice.
The pituitary gland controls all of the above functions. When tumors or other problems affect it, the gland cannot produce the proper hormones needed to keep the body functioning properly.
The result is usually a condition called hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is also known as type two diabetes.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue, muscle cramps, increased thirst, dizziness, increased urination, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, the pituitary can also stop producing adequate amounts of the hormone ACTH. This results in a lack of energy and inability to tolerate activities requiring a great deal of strength.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia caused by the pituitary glands usually subside once the tumor or other problem is removed from the body. When a tumor is present, however, these symptoms become more intense. These may result in increased weight gain, difficulty in breathing, hyperglycemia and dehydration. Hypoglycemia can also lead to vision loss and nerve damage.
Unfortunately, the pituitary tumor can recur and grow back again, so treatment is necessary. There are many surgical procedures available to remove the tumor and remove the pituitary gland.