What symptoms are associated with problems involving the anterior pituitary gland?
The anterior pituitary gland makes several peptide hormones and they are: (1) Corticotropin (aka ACTH) (2) Thyrotropin (aka TSH) (3) Prolactin (4) Growth Hormone (5) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (6) Luteinizing Hormone Symptoms from problems with the anterior pituitary may be explained by either a deficiency or surplus of one or more of the above hormones. Because of the number of hormones involved, these symptoms can be quite variable. When the anterior pituitary has globally decreased function there can be low blood pressure, low body temperature, dry skin, fatigue, memory problems, growth retardation (in children), loss of postpartum lactation, loss of menstruation, breast atrophy, testicular atrophy, and loss of libido. If a tumor is present, there can be a partial loss of vision from impingement upon the optic chiasma. There can be small secreting pituitary adenomas that produce an unregulated excess of any one of the above hormones. The symptoms would depend on the hormone in exc
