Endocrinologist from Mainz about the pituitary gland

MAINZ – The pituitary gland is the main gland in the human body and has a major influence on a wide range of physical processes. It produces many hormones itself, which in turn stimulate other organs in the body to produce hormones. It is therefore no wonder that diseases of the pituitary gland can affect many areas and functions. The pituitary gland sends its messenger substances via the blood to other parts of the body, where they trigger certain reactions. Which messenger substances are involved and what do they do in the human body? Answers from endocrinologist Prof Dr Christian Wüster from Mainz.

The pituitary gland not only controls growth, water balance and stress regulation, says Prof Wüster (Mainz)

A woman gives birth to a child. Her pituitary gland secretes the hormone prolactin, which triggers milk production in the female breast after birth so that the mother can breastfeed her child. The hormone also influences the concentration of sex hormones from the ovaries and testicles. The growth hormone of this organ makes the body grow at a young age and ensures a balanced ratio between fat and muscle in older people. The hormone ACTH stimulates the production of cortisol in the adrenal gland – a hormone that ensures our survival in stressful situations and regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.

Other hormones control the production of estrogen, influence ovulation in women and sperm production in men, thyroid function and have a regulating influence on water balance.

Endocrinologist from Mainz on typical diseases of the pituitary gland

It is therefore obvious that diseases of the pituitary gland can have a dramatic effect on the body. One of the most common diseases of this organ, which is not part of the brain but, as the name suggests, is attached to the brain, is the pituitary tumour. It can affect the function of the gland through a tumour or cause hyperfunction or hypofunction. Visual impairment and even blindness are also feared complications of pituitary tumours. To treat this type of benign tumour, Prof. Christian Wüster works with an interdisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists. Some tumours can be removed without surgery, but only with medication. More rarely, the pituitary gland is affected by a so-called Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a disease of the haematopoietic system. It has a massive impact on the water balance when it affects the pituitary gland and results in diabetes insipidus. Patients with this disease suffer from unquenchable thirst.

Picture: © Krasimira Nevenova/Fotolia