is a medical condition characterized by elevated prolactin levels in the serum. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, a structure that sits underneath the brain in a region called the sella turcica. Elevated prolactin levels may occur due to normal processes of the body such as pregnancy, nipple, stimulation, and stress. However, conditions such as pituitary tumors (eg, prolactinoma) or use of certain medications can also lead to increased serum prolactin levels and its…
syndrome refers to the complex clinical manifestations resulting from chronic exposure to excess cortisol. Cushing disease is overproduction of pituitary ACTH by a pituitary adenoma (McCance, Huether, Brashers, & Rote, 2014, p. 754-755). Cushing’s disease is defined by Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) hypersecretion, induced by a corticotrophic adenoma, leading to cortisol and androgen hypersecretion. Cushing’s disease may lead to death if untreated; it is responsible for increased morbidity…
Cushing’s Syndrome is an endocrine disorder caused by elevated levels of cortisol in the body. The endocrine system is made up of several different glands which produce hormones that regulate various functions of the body. The adrenal glands, located at the top of each kidney, are responsible for the production of cortisol. Cortisol is essential in the regulation of blood pressure, and cardiovascular function. Cortisol also aids the body’s stress response, and helps to metabolize proteins,…
The disease can be fatal is not treated correctly and promptly. Etiology The etiology of Cushing’s Disease can vary. The main cause of this disease is a tumor or growth at the base of the brain on the pituitary gland. The tumor can also be known as an adenoma or a non-cancerous tumor. The adenoma can cause the body to produce an excess level of cortisol. Cortisol within the body helps to maintain a normal blood pressure along with helping our bodies to cope with and respond to stress. Signs &…
First, the hypothalamus within the brain is what sets the thyroid gland into motion by a cascade called the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT axis). Neurons of the hypothalamus receive stimulatory and inhibitory synaptic input from virtually all areas of the central nervous system. When the hypothalamus senses a change in homeostasis, a hypothalmic neuron synthesizes…
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the part of the body that regulates most hormones. Some of these pituitary tumors produce excessive hormones, which regulate important body functions, while others restrict some of the normal functions of your pituitary gland, thus decreasing hormone production. Around 20% of the human race have pituitary tumors. A lot of these tumors do not cause symptoms and are never diagnosed during a person's…
Acromegaly is a rare growth disorder that causes abnormal growth in the bones and soft tissues due to a chemical from the pituitary gland, this chemical is called “growth hormone.” Pituitary gland is small gland located in the base of the brain. Due to the disease body has a disturbance in it growth and in processing fats and sugars. Acromegaly can cause unusual growth in the long bones called “gigantism”, however, when the bone growth stops it is called acromegaly. Diagnosing the disease is…
expectancy returns back to normal, with the exception of daily follow-up with your primary doctor. Acromegaly is a serious and rare condition which is caused by too much GH (growth hormone) inside the blood. Located at the base of the brain is the pituitary gland, where the growth hormone is released into the blood stream. Acromegaly results in characteristic changes of connective tissues and its occurrences of acromegaly is about 6 in every 100,000 adults. Middle aged adults are most likely to…
oestradiol levels are routinely lower than 20 pg/mL. Obtaining the testosterone level is not necessary in a woman with no evidence of androgen excess. Prolactin level in excess of 200 ng/mL is not observed except in the case of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma). In general, the serum prolactin level correlates with the size of the tumor. Patients who are noted to have hyperprolactinaemia will require skull x-ray and MRI of the brain. Polycystic ovaries may be seen on the…
released to enable the flight or fight response, but when people stay in a state of high stress, levels of cortisol rise and may remain high. (WISE geek) The effect of excessive cortisol in the body whether from man -made drugs, an over productive pituitary gland, or tumors can cause Cushing syndrome and the range of disease it characterized by. Cushing disease can be caused by both outside and inside influences of your body. It occurs after prolonged exposure to increased levels of…