The pituitary gland is a central endocrine organ located at the base of the brain, in a bone formation called the Turkish saddle. The pituitary gland can be called a kind of conductor of the endocrine orchestra, since it is he who produces hormones that regulate the work of all other endocrine glands. The pathology of the pituitary gland affects the normal functioning of almost all organs and systems of the body. That is why every practitioner should know the normal values of pituitary hormones, as well as diseases that lead to changes in the concentrations of these hormones. The main pituitary hormones: adrenocorticotropic, luteinizing, somatotropic, follicle-stimulating and prolactin.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone of the pituitary gland - function, interpretation of values
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. ACTH stimulates the production of androgens and glucocorticoids by the adrenal cortex. Analysis for adrenocorticotropic hormone must be taken from 8.30 to 11 am. Normally, its values are in the range of 10-60 pg / ml. An increased concentration of the hormone ACTH in the blood can indicate Addison's, Nelson's, Itsenko-Cushing's disease, congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex, past injuries and shock conditions. A decrease in the concentration of ACTH is determined with adrenal insufficiency, as well as against the background of taking glucocorticoids.
Luteinizing hormone of the pituitary gland - function, interpretation of the values
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland, this hormone stimulates ovulation and activates the production of sex hormones. A blood test for luteinizing hormone must be taken on the 5-7th day of the menstrual cycle, that is, in the early follicular phase of the cycle. The normal value of LH in the follicular phase is 2.6-12.0 mU/l, for men the normal value of LH is 2.5-11.0 mU/l. An increase in the LH hormone is observed with insufficiency of the gonads, pituitary tumors and in menopause. A decrease in the concentration of LH in the blood indicates dysfunction of the pituitary gland of various origins, Sheehan's syndrome or anorexia nervosa.
Pituitary somatotropic hormone - function, interpretation of values
Somatotropic hormone is produced by the cells of the anterior pituitary gland, and affects the normal growth and development of the human body. A blood test for somatotropic hormone is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Normal values for adults are 0.01-11.5 mU / l, for children under 15 years old - 5.2-26.0 mU / l. An increase in the concentration of somatotropic hormone is observed with gigantism, renal failure, severe stress and malnutrition. A decrease in somatotropic hormone indicates GH deficiency, hypopituitarism or hypercorticism.
Pituitary Follicle Stimulating Hormone - Function, Explanation of Meanings
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone from the anterior pituitary gland that regulates the normal functioning of the ovaries and testicles. A blood test for FSH is taken in the morning, regardless of the phase of the cycle. The normal values of the hormone in the follicular phase are 2.0-11.6 IU / l, in the luteal phase - 1.4-9.7 IU / l. For men, the FSH rate is 1.6-9.7 IU / l. An increase in the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone is observed with primary hypogonadism, castration, during menopause, as well as with hormone-producing pituitary tumors. A reduced concentration of this pituitary hormone in the blood indicates oncological processes, sickle cell anemia and hemochromatosis.
Pituitary hormone prolactin - function, interpretation of values
Prolactin is a protein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Prolactin is responsible for normal lactation and is involved in the direct regulation of the normal functioning of the reproductive system. A blood test for prolactin is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Normal prolactin values for women are 60-510 mU/l, for men 90-540 mU/l. An increase in the concentration of prolactin is observed in hormone-producing tumors of the pituitary gland, primary hypothyroidism, polycystic ovaries, anorexia nervosa, endometriosis, secondary adrenal dysplasia, and also in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Correction of insufficiency and overproduction of pituitary hormones
If laboratory tests show an increase or decrease in the concentrations of pituitary hormones, it is necessary to start looking for pathology from the pituitary gland itself. With the help of instrumental research methods, neoplasms or traumatic injuries of the pituitary gland are excluded. A holistic clinical picture and a fully collected anamnesis help in finding the causes that provoked an increase or decrease in the concentrations of pituitary hormones. To normalize the hormonal background, hormone replacement therapy is used, but the main thing in the treatment of such conditions should be the elimination of the root cause of the pathological change in the concentration of pituitary hormones.
Share:
Add a comment