Symptoms of pituitary adenoma
The symptoms of pituitary adenomas can vary widely depending on several factors, including: If it’s large enough to damage your pituitary gland or nearby structures (mass effect). If it’s a functioning (hormone secreting) pituitary adenoma with symptoms based on the type of hormone it secretes. Pituitary macroadenomas typically present with mass effects — meaning their large size can apply pressure to or damage nearby tissues, causing compressive symptoms, including: Vision problems Approximated 40% to 60% of people with a pituitary macroadenoma have impaired vision (blurry or double vision) from the adenoma. The adenoma compresses your optic chiasm, leading to visual field defects like the loss of peripheral vision (side vision). Headaches People with pituitary adenomas often report having headaches. This could be due to pressure on nearby tissues, but as headaches are a common symptom in general, people could have them for other reasons as well. Hormonal deficiency Pituitary macroadenomas can cause one or more pituitary hormone deficiencies due to damage to your pituitary gland tissue. This can result in an underactive pituitary gland, also known as hypopituitarism. Each pituitary hormone deficiency causes different symptoms. A deficiency of LH and FSH hormones leads to low testosterone (LH) and estrogen (FSH), a condition known as hypogonadism. Symptoms of hypogonadism include hot flashes and vaginal dryness in women and people AFAB, erectile dysfunction and decreased facial/body hair growth in men and people AMAB, mood swings, decreased libido/sex drive and fatigue. A deficiency of TSH results in low thyroid hormone production, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, constipation, slow heart rate, dry skin, swelling of extremities and diminished reflexes. A deficiency of ACTH means you don’t produce as much cortisol, a condition known as adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and poor appetite. A deficiency of GH results in low growth hormone production, also known as growth hormone deficiency. You’ll have different symptoms depending on how old you are. In adults, a lack of GH results in fatigue and decreased muscle mass.