Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone-Secreting Tumors
Affecting the thyroid, pituitary tumors can lead to hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by symptoms such as excessive sweating, unexplained weight loss, irregular bowel movements, and an erratic heart rate. When the thyroid gland swells, it is often associated with Grave’s disease, which is an overactive thyroid. However, if this swelling does not occur, a pituitary tumor may be identified as the underlying cause of the condition.
Additional Symptoms of Pituitary Tumors
Aside from the symptoms related to hormones, there are other general symptoms that can be caused by a pituitary tumor. These include headaches, vision loss, seizures, weight gain, irritability, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, flushing of the face, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, and a loss of body hair. The presence of such a wide range of symptoms can make it challenging to diagnose the condition. Often, individuals with pituitary tumors only receive the correct diagnosis after other attempts to explain and treat their symptoms have proven unsuccessful. It is also possible for some individuals to have a nonfunctioning pituitary tumor throughout their lives without ever realizing it.