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ปวดศีรษะเรื้อรัง

หน้ากระตุก

อ่อนเพลียเรื้อรัง

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โรคเนื้องอกต่อมใต้สมอง ภัยเงียบจากฮอร์โมนผิดปกติ

<h2>Pituitary Tumor (Pituitary tumor) The silent threat that starts with small symptoms but can change the whole system</h2>
Sometimes “fatigue” is not caused by lack of rest 
Sometimes “headache” is not caused by stress 
And sometimes “narrowed vision, frequently bumping into things” is not clumsiness
&nbsp;
Small symptoms that gradually change, such as chronic fatigue, excessive sweating, unexplained weight fluctuations, irregular menstruation, or even slow changes in the face, hands, and feet, may be signs of a pituitary tumor, a disease related to the body&#8217;s hormone control center that can affect multiple systems unknowingly. The good news is that this disease can be detected and, in many cases, effectively treated if evaluated early.
<h3></h3>
&nbsp;
<h2>What is the pituitary gland and why is it important?</h2>
The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain. Although small in size, it plays a crucial role in controlling hormones of many body systems, such as:
<ul>
<li>Growth hormone</li>
<li>Sex and reproductive hormones</li>
<li>Thyroid hormone and metabolism</li>
<li>Hormones controlling the adrenal glands and stress response</li>
<li>Hormones related to pregnancy and breastfeeding</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
When there is a pituitary tumor, most are benign. The problem is not always the “malignancy like cancer” but rather:
<ol>
<li>Abnormal secretion of too much or too little hormone</li>
<li>The mass pressing on the optic nerves and important brain structures</li>
</ol>
<h3></h3>
&nbsp;
<h2>Why is this disease often overlooked?</h2>
Because symptoms usually develop gradually and resemble common conditions such as stress, hormonal fluctuations, or fatigue from work, many people do not get evaluated early.
&nbsp;
<h2>Common warning signs</h2>
<h4>1. Symptoms from hormone imbalance</h4>
Some symptoms may affect “personality, confidence, and appearance” causing many to avoid socializing, even though the cause may be treatable, such as:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Easy fatigue, chronic tiredness</li>
<li>Unexplained weight gain or loss</li>
<li>Irregular menstruation, infertility</li>
<li>Abnormal milk discharge in women who are not pregnant</li>
<li>Mood swings, insomnia</li>
<li>Enlarging hands, feet, or face consistent with high growth hormone condition</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>2. Symptoms from pressure on the optic nerves and brain</h4>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Chronic or progressively worsening headache</li>
<li>Blurred vision, double vision</li>
<li>Reduced peripheral vision, narrowed visual field, leading to frequent bumping into objects</li>
<li>Frequently bumping into objects without known cause</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3></h3>
<h2>Symptoms that require immediate medical attention</h2>
<ul>
<li data-start="2220" data-end="2250">Sudden severe and unusual headache</li>
<li data-start="2253" data-end="2274">Rapid vision loss</li>
<li data-start="2277" data-end="2311">Severe vomiting, decreased consciousness, or rapid deterioration</li>
</ul>
These symptoms may be related to bleeding within the tumor (Pituitary apoplexy), an emergency condition that requires immediate evaluation.
&nbsp;
<h2>How to diagnose early and accurately</h2>
The key is that the earlier this disease is detected, the more precisely it can be managed before permanent damage to vision or hormone balance occurs. Treatment is usually more effective. Standard evaluation typically includes:
<ul>
<li>Blood tests to check hormone levels to identify abnormalities causing symptoms</li>
<li>Brain MRI to see the size, location, and characteristics of the tumor in detail</li>
<li>In many cases, doctors may consider vision and visual field tests to assess the impact on the optic nerves</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>Treatment approaches</h2>
Treatment depends on the type of tumor, size, symptoms, and hormone levels. There are several methods, including:
<ul>
<li>Medication &#8211; for some types, medication is the main and effective treatment</li>
<li>Surgery &#8211; to remove the tumor or relieve pressure</li>
<li>Radiation therapy or radiosurgery &#8211; in appropriate cases</li>
<li>Monitoring and follow-up &#8211; for small tumors not affecting critical systems</li>
<li>Hormone balance adjustment and hormone replacement when necessary</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery</h2>
Another important treatment approach today is endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, a technique that allows surgeons to access the pituitary gland without opening the skull, reducing damage to surrounding brain tissue. In many cases, it helps patients recover faster than traditional surgery. The advantages of this method include:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>No external surgical scars</li>
<li>Reduced risk of affecting other brain areas</li>
<li>Suitable for patients with tumors causing pressure and who have surgical indications for tumor removal</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Pituitary tumors may initially seem mild or unclear in symptoms but are actually important and should not be overlooked. Many endure bodily abnormalities and gradually decreasing confidence… when in fact, just starting with the right examination can change the course of life.
&nbsp;
If you or someone close to you has several of these symptoms, especially hormone imbalances combined with chronic headaches or changes in vision, you should seek evaluation from a specialist.
&nbsp;
Phyathai 2 Hospital is ready to care for patients with pituitary tumors with a specialized team in neurology and endocrinology, covering standard MRI diagnostics, detailed hormone evaluation, and individualized treatment plans to help restore hormone balance, vision, and long-term quality of life.
&nbsp;
Dr. Sermkiat Lorluk 
Neurosurgeon 
Phyathai 2 Hospital

Pituitary gland tumors, a silent threat from hormonal imbalances and optic nerve compression, may begin with minor symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, narrowed visual field, or irregular menstruation.

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Pituitary tumors: A silent threat from hormonal imbalances.

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