Pituitary gland disorders

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Created by
Danika Francesca

Cards (42)

  • HYPOTHALAMUS LOCATION
    • below the thalamus and sits just above the brainstem.
  • The primary function of the HYPOTHALAMUS is to maintain homeostasis in the body.
  • Hypothalamus - SECRETE releasing hormones and INHIBIT hormones that stimulate or inhibit production of hormones in the anterior pituitary.
  • NEUROSECRETORY CELLS - specialized neuron clusters in the hypothalamus that produce the hormones Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin (OXT), and transport them to the pituitary, where they are stored for later release.
  • Pituitary gland - A pea-sized, reddish-gray body that STORES HORMONES from the hypothalamus and releases them into the bloodstream.
  • Pituitary gland - The “MASTER GLAND” because its hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, namely the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.
  • Adenohypophysis - anterior lobe of pituitary gland
  • Neurohypophysis - posterior lobe of pituitary gland
  • Somatotrophs - human growth hormones
  • Lactotrophs - prolactin
  • Gonadotrophs - FSH & LH
  • Corticotrophs - Adenocorticotropic hormone and Melanocyte-stimulating hormones
  • Thyrotrophs - TSH
  • Vasopressin, Oxytocin - hormones produced by the posterior lobe
  • CAUSES OF PITUITARY DISORDERS
    1. Tumors
    2. Head injury
    3. Bleeding near or in the pituitary gland
    4. Medications and cancer treatments
  • Gigantism, Acromegaly - increased level of GH may cause these disorders
  • Decreased level of GH may cause
    1. Dwarfism
    2. Lethargy
    3. Premature aging
  • Cushing's disease - a disorder caused by an INCREASED level of ACTH
  • Addison's disease - a disorder caused by a DECREASED level of ACTH
  • INCREASED level of TSH may cause
    1. Goiter
    2. Increased BMR, HR, BP
    3. Grave's disease
  • Growth hormone agonists
    • Somatropin
  • Growth hormone antagonists
    • Bromocriptine
    • Lantreolide
    • Octreotide
    • Pegvisomant
  • Other drugs affecting anterior pituitary hormones
    • Chorionic gonadotropin
    • Corticotropin
    • Cosyntropin
    • Menotropin
    • Thyrotropin alfa
  • Drugs affecting posterior pituitary hormones
    • Conivaptan
    • Desmopressin
    • Tolvaptan
  • Route of SOMATROPIN
    • IM
    • Under the skin
  • Indications of SOMATROPIN
    • Growth failure
    • Growth hormone deficiency
    • Intestinal disorder (short bowel syndrome)
    • HIV-related weight loss or wasting
    • To increase height in children with certain disorders such as Noonan syndrome, Turner syndrome, idiopathic short stature
  • Serious side effects of SOMATROPIN
    1. Nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop
    2. Development of limp
    3. Unusual tiredness
    4. Unexplained weight gain
    5. Cold intolerance
    6. Fast/slow heart beat
    7. Ear pain
    8. Hearing problems
    9. Joint/hip/knee problems
    10. Numbness/tingling
    11. Increase in thirst and urination
    12. Swelling hands/ankles/feet
    13. Change in appearance or size of any mole
    14. Abdominal pain
  • Children should be checked for some breathing problems before and during treatment of SOMATROPIN
  • Blood sugar level - what SOMATROPIN increases
  • When SOMATROPIN is given to newborns, mix with sterile water for injection instead of preservative (benzyl alcohol) which can cause serious side effects or even death.
  • Pegvisomant - Blocks the hepatic (GH-mediated) production of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1), which is the main mediator of growth hormone activity.
  • Acromegaly - indication of PEGVISOMANT
  • PEVISOGMANT should be used in caution in patients with?
    1. Liver and kidney disease
    2. Tumors
  • Bromocriptine
    • Drug to lower hormone levels (dopamine agonist); 
    • May help lower levels of GH and IGF-1 in some people.
  • Bromocriptine decreases tumor size
  • Bromocriptine ACTIVATES dopamine receptors and DECREASES prolactin secretion
  • BROMOCRIPTINE indications
    1. Tumor
    2. Acromegaly
    3. Tremors in parkinsonism
    4. Infertility in hyperprolactinemia
  • When using BROMOCRIPTINE in patients with acromegaly, watch for signs of digital vasospasm as indicated by decreased circulation to the fingers and toes resulting in pain, numbness, swelling, and color changes
  • Somatostatin analogues - Taking one of these drugs signals the pituitary gland to produce less GH, and may even reduce the size of the pituitary tumor.
  • SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGUES indications
    1. Pituitary tumors
    2. Acromegaly