Pituitary Disorder Evaluation in Seomyeon, Busan

What is a pituitary disorder evaluation?

The pituitary gland controls many other glands, including the thyroid, adrenals and ovaries or testes, and makes growth hormone and prolactin. Pituitary adenomas are common, usually benign growths. Some produce excess hormones, such as prolactin, growth hormone or ACTH; others are non-functioning but may press on nearby structures or reduce normal hormone production. Evaluation combines hormone testing, imaging and eye assessment.

Who is it for?

Irregular or absent periods, unexpected breast milk production, or reduced libido and erectile problems
Enlarging hands, feet or facial features, suggesting acromegaly
Features of cortisol excess, such as central weight gain, stretch marks and high blood pressure
Loss of peripheral vision or persistent headaches
A pituitary lesion found incidentally on brain MRI or CT
Fatigue, low blood pressure and low sodium after head injury or childbirth complications

Sudden severe headache with vision loss, double vision, vomiting or drowsiness may be pituitary apoplexy, a bleed into the gland: call 119.

What happens at the clinic

History and examination: menstrual and sexual history, changes in appearance, medicines that raise prolactin, and visual symptoms.
Hormone tests: prolactin, IGF-1, morning cortisol, thyroid tests and sex hormones; dynamic tests may follow.
MRI: a dedicated pituitary MRI with contrast shows size and position of any adenoma.
Visual fields: formal testing by an ophthalmologist if the lesion is close to the optic chiasm.
Treatment planning: often with a hospital pituitary team including neurosurgery.

Treatment outlook

Prolactinomas usually respond very well to dopamine agonist tablets such as cabergoline, which lower prolactin and shrink the tumour. Other functioning tumours, and non-functioning tumours that threaten vision, are commonly treated with surgery through the nose (transsphenoidal surgery). Missing hormones are replaced with tablets. Small non-functioning adenomas often need only periodic MRI.

Risks and limitations

Blood tests are low risk; MRI contrast rarely causes reactions. Prolactin can be mildly raised by stress, some medicines and an underactive thyroid, so results need interpretation. Untreated pituitary disease can affect fertility, bone health, the heart and vision.

Choosing a clinic for pituitary evaluation in Seomyeon

Choose an endocrinologist familiar with pituitary hormone testing.
Ask which hospital pituitary team the clinic works with.
Bring a full medicine list, including antipsychotics and anti-nausea drugs that raise prolactin.
Ask whether visual field testing will be arranged.
Request MRI images on disc for future comparison.

Coordinated care

Pituitary care often involves several specialists. Seomyeon's central position on Busan Metro Lines 1 and 2 helps when appointments span multiple sites.

Are pituitary tumours cancer?

Almost all pituitary adenomas are benign. They can still cause problems by producing excess hormones or pressing on nearby nerves and structures, which is why evaluation matters.

What are the symptoms of a prolactinoma?

In women, irregular or absent periods and milky nipple discharge; in men, low libido and erectile dysfunction. Large tumours can cause headaches and vision changes.

Can a pituitary tumour be treated without surgery?

Yes, often. Prolactinomas usually respond to medicine. Small non-functioning tumours are often just monitored. Surgery is used for other functioning tumours or when vision is threatened.

Why do I need an eye test for a pituitary problem?

The pituitary lies just below the optic nerves. A growing tumour can compress them and reduce peripheral vision, so visual field testing checks for this.

When is a pituitary problem an emergency?

A sudden severe headache with vision loss, double vision, vomiting or drowsiness may signal pituitary apoplexy. Call 119 immediately.

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