Pituitary Gland has got two lobes: Anterior lobe and Posterior lobe
What is its’ function?
Each lobe of the pituitary gland secretes hormones, which in turn control the other endocrine glands in the human body
Anterior Lobe Posterior Lobe
Growth hormone regulates growth in children, improves quality of life in adults ADH (antidiuretic hormone) - to increase absorption of water into the blood by the kidneys
Prolactin stimulates milk production in women after giving birth Oxytocin - to contract the uterus during childbirth and stimulate milk production
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) - to stimulate the adrenal glands
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) stimulates thyroid gland
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) stimulates the ovaries and testes
LH (luteinizing hormone) - to stimulate the ovaries or testes
Features of Hormone Deficiency or Excess
Hormone Overproduction Underproduction
Growth hormone Acromegaly in adults
Gigantism in children
Metabolic derangements in adults,
Stunted growth in children
Prolactin Galactorrhoea, Irregular cycles & infertility in women,
Impotence & infertility in men
Lactation failure after childbirth
TSH Features of excess thyroid hormones like sweating, palpitations, weight loss, anxiety, restlessness Features of low thyroid hormones like excess weight gain, lethargy, dry skin, constipation
ACTH Excess weight gain, easy bruisability of skin, increased blood pressure & blood sugar, menstrual irregularities Fatigability, low blood pressure, low sugar & excessive weakness.
LH / FSH Very rare, usually do not have symptoms Menstrual irregularities, vaginal dryness loss of libido, infertility in women & impotence, loss of secondary sexual characteristics & infertility in men