Serious Symptoms Of A Prolactinoma

Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism, a lower than normal amount of pituitary hormones, can be indicative of a prolactinoma. The pituitary gland is referred to as the master gland because it produces several different hormones that control other glands throughout the body. When a prolactinoma grows large enough to place pressure on the surrounding pituitary gland tissues, it causes these tissues to malfunction. Excessive pressure on the cells in the pituitary gland can also cause damage to the tissues, causing them to be unable to perform their function.

The pituitary tissues are responsible for the production of growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, vasopressin, oxytocin, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Hypopituitarism is the condition where the body does not have sufficient levels of several of the hormones the pituitary gland should be producing.