Most pituitary tumors produce too much of one or more hormones. As a result, symptoms of one or more of the following conditions can occur:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Cushing syndrome
• Gigantism or acromegaly
• Nipple discharge

Symptoms caused by pressure from a larger pituitary tumor may include:

• Headache
• Lethargy
• Nasal drainage
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with the sense of smell
• Visual changes
  • Double vision
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Visual field loss

Rarely, these symptoms may occur suddenly and can be severe.

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination. The provider will note any problems with double vision and visual field, such as a loss of peripheral vision or the ability to see in certain areas.

Endocrine function tests include:

• Cortisol levels:
  • Dexamethasone suppression test
  • Urine cortisol test
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
• Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
• Serum prolactin levels
• Testosterone/estradiol levels
• Thyroid hormone levels:
  • Free T4 test
  • TSH test

Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:

• Formal visual field testing
• MRI of head