What Are The Symptoms Of A Pituitary Tumor?

Increased Urine Output

A patient with a pituitary tumor may present with unusual increased urine output. The kidneys are the organs responsible for making urine. They are stimulated to produce urine when the brain releases antidiuretic hormone. The rear-most part of the pituitary gland is responsible for the production of antidiuretic hormone when fluids need to be retained instead of excreted through urine.

An individual affected by pituitary cancer may experience difficulty with their pituitary gland producing an adequate amount of antidiuretic hormone when it is needed. When the pituitary gland cannot produce enough antidiuretic hormone, the kidneys will continue to filter fluids into the urine even when the body needs to retain it. This malfunction results in increased urine output.

High Blood Sugar

An individual who has developed a tumor in their pituitary gland may experience high blood sugar. The body has mechanisms in place that are meant to increase blood glucose when it falls too low for the brain to function. When blood sugar becomes too low, the pituitary gland produces a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol functions with adrenaline to increase the amount of sugar in the blood so it is more available for the muscles to use when the individual has a fight or flight reaction.

However, a tumor of cancerous cells that develops in the pituitary gland can cause it to release too much of the hormone that commands the adrenal glands to produce cortisol and adrenaline. This malfunction results in the excessive production of cortisol and adrenaline in the blood by the adrenal glands. This causes an individual's blood sugar to become and remain too high.