What is the pituitary gland?

The pituitary is a small, bean-sized gland. It is located at the base of your brain, in line with the top of your nose. It is part of your endocrine (hormone) system.

Your pituitary acts as your body's 'master gland'. It tells other glands in your body what to do.

What does the pituitary gland do?

Your pituitary gland makes hormones. It also controls many of the other endocrine glands, including your:

• thyroid gland — produces thyroid hormone
• adrenal glands — produces cortisol
• reproductive glands (ovaries and testes) — produces oestrogen and testosterone

• Hormones made by the pituitary gland include: growth hormone — regulates growth
• thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) — tells your thyroid gland to make hormones
• prolactin — controls breastmilk production
• adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) — tells your adrenal glands to make hormones
• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) — helps regulate the reproductive system
• luteinising hormone — also involved in the reproductive system

The pituitary gland also stores and releases:

• oxytocin — involved in childbirth and breastfeeding
• vasopressin — helps manage the balance of salt and water in your body

How is the pituitary gland controlled?

Your pituitary gland is controlled by your hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is located in your brain, above the pituitary gland. It sends signals to your pituitary gland, telling it when to release hormones.

What body functions do these hormones affect?

The hormones made or controlled by your pituitary gland affect vital body functions, including:

• metabolism
• blood pressure
• reproduction

What medical conditions can affect the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland can sometimes make too much or too little of a hormone. This may lead to a 'pituitary condition'.

Pituitary conditions are often caused by growths in the gland. These growths are usually benign (not cancerous). They may lead to hormone problems when they take up too much space.

Other causes of pituitary conditions include:

• surgery
• radiation therapy
• autoimmune diseases
• infection
• brain injury
• problems with the hypothalamus

Treatment depends on the cause and the hormones affected.

Prolactinoma

A prolactinoma is a benign growth (non-cancerous tumour) on the pituitary gland that makes prolactin. This can lead to hyperprolactinaemia (too much prolactin in the blood).

Symptoms in females may include:

• periods becoming lighter or stopping
• difficulty getting pregnant
• producing breastmilk (lactating)

Symptoms in males may include:

• erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting erections)
• reduced libido
• infertility
• gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts)

Hyperprolactinaemia can also be caused by certain medicines.

Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism is when the pituitary gland doesn't make enough of one or more hormones. This affects the hormones made by other glands in the body.

Symptoms may develop slowly and vary from person to person.

Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency is when the pituitary gland doesn't make enough growth hormone. This might happen because of:

• a tumour
• damage to the pituitary gland
• abnormal development of the pituitary gland

In children, this can delay growth and lead to a child being shorter in height than expected.

In adults, symptoms may include:

• tiredness
• weak muscles and bones
• excess weight
• anxiety
• mood problems
• sleep issues

Other pituitary conditions

Rare pituitary conditions include:

• gigantism — when a child has too much growth hormone and grows very tall
• acromegaly — when an adult has too much growth hormone, causing larger hands, feet and face
• Cushing's syndrome — where the body creates too much cortisol due to a growth in the pituitary gland

Resources and support

• You can read more about pituitary gland disorders on the Australian Pituitary Foundation
• Hormones Australia has information and support for people with hormone conditions, including the pituitary gland.
• Hormones Australia can also help you find an endocrinologist.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other languages

Hormones Australia has a range of fact sheets in many community languages.