The pituitary gland is one of the most essential gland the body needs to promptly function in order to positively affect the body. It is divided into the anterior and posterior gland, which are responsible, for hormone secretion that travel through the blood stream.
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland located at the base of the skull between the optic nerves. The pituitary is sometimes referred to as the "master gland" as it controls hormone functions such as our temperature, thyroid activity, growth during childhood, urine production, testosterone production in males and ovulation and estrogen production in females. In effect the gland functions as our thermostat that controls all other glands that are responsible for hormone secretion. The gland is a critical part of our ability to respond
to the environment most often without our knowledge.
Since we are now learning that it is responsible for secreting certain hormones such as: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Prolactin, Somatotropin, also known as growth hormone (GH)
Gonadotropins, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior gland and oxytocin and vasopressin by the posterior gland.
It is incredible to be that such a little gland in our body is capable do so much for us! I began to wonder what it there was a malfunction, how can it affect how our body response? The causes are so many to note but here are some that may help us obtain awareness.
- Thyroid stimulating hormone deficiency may cause…
- reduced memory
- slowed metabolism
- reduced energy
- altered mood
- failure to thrive
- slowed growth
- muscle aches
- cold intolerance
- decreased appetite
- dry hair or skin
- numbness or tingling in extremities
Adrenocortical stimulating hormone deficiency may cause…
- weakness
- fatigue
- altered mood
- electrolyte abnormalities
- weight loss
- low or fluctuating blood pressure
- increased body fat
- decreased bone mass
- reduced exercise capacity
Growth hormone deficiency may cause:
- decreased lean body and muscle mass, particularly in the shouldersincreased fat mass, especially around the waist and trunk
- high “bad” cholesterol levels (higher ldl and lower hdl) which may increase risk of stroke and heart diseasedecreased bone density, which may cause osteoporosis
- fatigue, regardless of the amount of sleep.decreased interest in socialization
- a sense of isolation and depression
Sex hormone deficiency may cause…
- decreased energy
- decreased muscle mass
in males, it may cause…
- decreased sex drive
- shrunken testes
- loss of beard growth
- decreased sperm production
in females, it may cause…
- infertility
- amenorrhea (lack of menstruation)
- loss of female characteristics
Although we live regular lives and try to cope with the daily routines that come with it. There is astonishing things happening in our brain to make us to what we do and function the way we are suppose to! The pituitary gland is a regulator of our body and diminishing its importance would be a great mistake of our part.
I agree it is hard to believe that a pituitary gland can control so much. My mother suffers from hypothyroidism, which is a low secretion of the thyroid hormone. A lot of this, ofcourse, begins at the pituitary gland. We don't necessarily know where in the process of making this hormone it failed, but thankfully there are medication that can substitute it. I even remember hearing her complaining and having some of the symptoms you listed on here. For example, dry hair/skin, fatigue and weakness, among others. ANY damage to the pituitary gland is crucial , and im sure can probably lead to death. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing is it that something as small as a pea-size gland can control A LOT on our brain and body. I like how in the video she mentions that the pituitary gland is so important that "life is really not sustainable without it." No wonder it is referred to as the "master gland!" The posterior pituitary gland can be considered an extension of the hypothalamus. While the anterior pituitary gland synthesizes 6 hormones. The consequences to hormone deficiency all affect negatively. Loss of energy, fatigue, all the way to decreased sperm production (in males) and amenorrhea (in females) can be crucial in life. The role that the pituitary gland plays is really important and I really ejoyed the way you explained it accompanied by a picture and video. Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you summed up the pituitary gland; you seem to truly “grasp” the gland. I like your picture, it is hard and amazing to believe that even though the gland seems tiny in the picture it does so much. I like how your video has the brain, it looks neat. It would be bad if there was a malfunction. I think that the hormone deficiency that would most affect guys is the sex hormone. It would be very bad for one’s pride. Two words: Pituitary Gland.
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