Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Endocrinology, Exercise, Health Tips, Men's Health, Women's Health
Guest post by H. Marie Williams
One of my favorite roles as a physician is educating patients during the process of taking care of them. When patients come to my office for an evaluation regarding a specific condition (thyroid, diabetes, pituitary, bone) I start by asking them what they know about the disorder. Often, even if the patient has had the condition for many years, I can teach them something about how their body works. In this post, I aim to teach you all something about the pituitary gland, part of the body’s endocrine system.
Function of the Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized structure located in the brain directly behind the eyes. Despite its small size, I think of the pituitary gland as the “quarterback” of the body. This quarterback relays the signals from the “head coach”—a small section of the brain called the hypothalamus—to the rest of the glands of the body. These interactions make up the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hormones from the pituitary gland control reproduction, thyroid function, breastfeeding, growth, our stress response and much more.
The best part of this whole system is that it makes sense. The head coach (the hypothalamus) knows what plays to call based on the feedback it gets from the rest of body. For example, if the circulating level of thyroid hormone is low, then the hypothalamus will receive this message and communicate with the pituitary gland to increase the stimulatory signal to the thyroid to produce more hormone.
When the Pituitary Gland is Compromised
Many different types of conditions can compromise the function of the pituitary gland. Some of these conditions send out excess hormone and some may cause a deficiency in a specific hormone. Of course, since the pituitary gland is the quarterback, this can cause many changes in the body.
Adenomas May Produce Extra Hormone…
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland. These are generally non-cancerous growths called adenomas. An adenoma may be producing extra hormone, such as prolactin, which is the hormone that regulates breastfeeding. A high prolactin level may cause breast discharge and disrupt the menstrual cycle. This condition, called a prolactinoma, can generally be treated with medication.
…Or Cause a Deficiency
Other adenomas do not produce hormone, but may affect the normal hormone production by the pituitary gland. For example, testosterone deficiency in males may be caused by a large pituitary adenoma, which has decreased the stimulatory signals to the testes.
I hope this basic overview provides you with insight into how the pituitary gland helps create balance in our complex body.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Inside
David L. Reich, MD
David L. Reich, MD, a prominent thought leader in the field of anesthesiology who has been at Mount Sinai for nearly three decades, was named Interim President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Mount Sinai Hospital, effective immediately. A 2011 Physician of the Year honoree, Dr. Reich is the Horace W. Goldsmith Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology.
Wayne Keathley has stepped down as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Mount Sinai Hospital to become President of Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center and Health Network in Houston, Texas. “We would like to thank Mr. Keathley for his outstanding service to Mount Sinai over the past nine years,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Mount Sinai Medical Center. “During this time, Mount Sinai has experienced tremendous growth and change, and we are confident this outstanding growth will continue under the leadership of Dr. Reich, who has assumed the interim positions.” Dr. Davis added that a national search for President and COO was launched and Dr. Reich is a candidate for these positions.
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Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Inside, Research
A team of researchers at The Mount Sinai Medical Center and elsewhere recently discovered a causative gene for primary torsion dystonia (PTD), which sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of this debilitating movement disorder that affects an estimated 500,000 adults and children in North America. PTD is characterized by repetitive twisting muscle contractions throughout the body.
Drs. Laurie Ozelius and Tania Fuchs
The findings—which appear in the December 9, 2012, issue of Nature Genetics—identified the gene GNAL after exome sequencing was performed on two families with PTD. Further investigation into GNAL revealed six additional mutations of the gene. Exome sequencing is an effective, less expensive alternative to whole genome sequencing.
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Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Cardiology, Inside, Your Health
When Daquain Jenkins, 29, left The Mount Sinai Hospital last year, he became the first patient in the New York metropolitan area to return home to await a heart transplant with the assistance of a portable artificial heart.
The milestone was remarkable in a number of ways. First, the Total Artificial Heart, manufactured by SynCardia Systems, Inc., in Tucson, Arizona, replaces both failing heart ventricles and four heart valves, eliminating end-stage biventricular failure. It is immediately available to patients, and serves as a bridge while they await a suitable heart donor. In addition, it allows patients to move freely and manage everyday chores while wearing a backpack that stores the 13.5-pound battery-driven device.
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Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Inside
Designer Pamella Roland’s spring 2013 collection took center stage in December at The Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Second Annual Women’s Health Fashion Show and Luncheon at The Waldorf=Astoria. The models wore jewelry provided by Chopard, and more than 500 guests enjoyed a luncheon menu selected by chef Mario Batali.
The event raised more than $450,000, which will be used to raise awareness about the importance of primary care in the prevention and detection of women’s medical issues, fund research on reproductive cancers, educate women about heart health, and investigate the relationship between gender differences and the environment.
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Guest post by H. Marie Williams