Pituitary

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Other names for Pituitary

hypophysis
master gland

Synopsis of Pituitary

The pituitary gland is a small, oval-shaped endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, just beneath the hypothalamus, housed in a bony structure called the sella turcica. Despite its modest size (about the size of a pea), the pituitary is often called the "master gland" because it regulates the function of many other endocrine glands and orchestrates a wide array of critical physiological processes.

It has two distinct lobes:

  • Anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis): Produces key hormones such as growth hormone (GH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

  • Posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis): Stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus—namely oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

The pituitary gland functions under the influence of the hypothalamus, which sends releasing or inhibiting hormones through the hypophyseal portal system to regulate its activity. The pituitary, in turn, sends hormonal signals to target glands like the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads.


Medical Information

The pituitary gland is central to hormonal balance and endocrine health, and dysfunction can result in underproduction or overproduction of one or more hormones. Common conditions include:

  • Pituitary adenomas: Benign tumors that may be hormone-secreting (functional) or non-secreting. Depending on the type, they can lead to acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, or prolactinomas.

  • Hypopituitarism: Decreased hormone production, which can affect growth, fertility, metabolism, and stress response.

  • Diabetes insipidus: A disorder of ADH deficiency from posterior pituitary dysfunction, leading to excessive thirst and urination.

  • Sheehan’s syndrome: Postpartum pituitary necrosis due to severe blood loss during childbirth.

Symptoms of pituitary issues vary but may include fatigue, menstrual irregularities, infertility, weight changes, mood disturbances, or abnormal growth patterns. MRI imaging and hormone blood panels are used for diagnosis.

Natural remedies to support Pituitary

Adaptogens (e.g., ashwagandha, rhodiola): Help balance the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis under stress.

Vitamin D and omega-3s: Support brain and endocrine gland function.

B vitamins (especially B5 and B6): Crucial for neurotransmitter and hormone synthesis.

Magnesium and zinc: Assist with hormone receptor sensitivity and regulation.

Stress management: Chronic stress can suppress pituitary function—meditation, breathwork, and adequate sleep are essential.

Balanced diet: Ensure adequate protein, healthy fats, and trace minerals to maintain glandular health.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Pituitary.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
alfalfa
amino acids
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
bovine
bасора
chaste tree
choline
cordyceps
cowage seed
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
eleuthero
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
kelp
l-arginine
l-theanine
l-tyrosine
licorice root
maca
magnesium
maitake mushroom
omega-3 fatty acids
phosphatidylserine
phytocannabinoids
pollen
pregnenolone
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
sceletium
spirulina
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
bee pollen
lingzhi
trace minerals
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
thyroid substance
pituitary substance
bladderwrack
19-Nor-DHEA
DMPX
17 beta-[1-ketoethyl]-androstane-3-one,17a-ol
17beta-(1-ketoethyl)-androstane-3-one, 17a-ol
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-Alpha-Hydroxyetioallocholan-17-one
3b-Hydroxy-androstan-17-one
3b-hydroxy-androsta-4,6-diene-17-one
5-HTP (test)
5-HTP
6, 17 keto etiocholeva-3-ol 3, 17 ketoetiochol-triene
7-Alpha-Hydroxy-DHEA
7b-hydroxy, 17b-dihydro DHEA
7-Hydroxy-DHEA (unspecified)
Ashwagandha
Animal Tissue
Apigenin
Arimistane
Alkaloid (unspecified)
Agnoside
Agnusides
Androstenedione
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Arginine pyroglutamate
Alkaloids
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
alkaloid
Agnuside
Animal protein
blend (herb/botanical)
Bovine (unspecified)
Bovine Protein
Brain
Blend (Mineral)
Basidiomycota
Bacopa monnieri
Brain
blend (herb/botanical)
Bovine (not specified)
Bovine (unspecified)
Beef liver
Coffee
Chinese Chastetree
Cannabis
Cannabinoids
Chastetree
Cacao
Coffee (mixed)
Carbohydrate
DHEA
D-Aspartic Acid
DHEA
DHA-conjugated phosphatidylserine
Eurypeptides
Egg
Eleuthero Root
Endorphin (unspecified)
Eleutherococcus gracilistylus
Eleuthero
Eurypeptides
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eleutheroside
Fungus
Fungus (unspecified)
Five-leaf Chastetree
Genseng (not specified)
Ginseng, Oriental
Ginsenosides
Growth factors
Gland (unspecified)
Ginsenosides (unspecified)
Ginseng
Glandular Tissues
Gland (mixed)
Guaranine
Ginseng (unspecified)
Ginsenoside
Ginseng, Panax
Gland (mixed)
Ginsenosides
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Human growth hormone
Holy Basil
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Hypothalamus protein
Iodine
Ibutamoren
Indium
Indium
Iodine
icariin
Ibutamoren
Insulin-Like Growth Factor
Jatamansi
Kelp (various)
Kelp
Kelp
Kelp (unspecified)
L-Tyrosine
Liver
Lithium
Laminara
Leptin
Liver
Laminaria
Macamides
mineral (unspecified)
mineral (unspecified)
Melatonin
Mushrooms
Maca
Methylxanthine (unspecified)
MK-677
Magnesium
Mushroom (unspecified)
Macaenes
Magnesium
Nerve growth factor
Nymphaea caerulea
Ornithine
Oxytocin
Ox
Oriental Ginseng
peptides (unspecified)
Progenin III
Progesterone
Pineal
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
phosphatidyl inositol
Phosphatidylinostol
Proprietary Blend (Vitamin)
Panax Ginseng
Pineal Gland
Panax Pseudoginseng
Peptides (unspecified)
Phosphatidylserine
phosphatidyl inositol
Peptide
Phenethylamine
Pig
Pituitary Gland
Placenta
Phosphatidylserine complex
Placental protein
Panax Notoginseng
Porcine
Polypeptide (unspecified)
Pituitary
Peptide (unspecified)
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Poly-thyronine
Progesterone
Pregnenolone
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Placenta
Pineal
Pituitary
Pig
Parenchyma
Peptides
Rhodola crenulata
Rosabin
Rhodiola sacra
Reginin A
Rosarin
Rhodiola crenulata
Robusta Coffee
Sea vegetation (unspecified)
Sceletium
salt
Salidrosides
salt (unspecified)
Sodium
Somatropin
Schisandrins
Siberian ginseng
Shataverins
Sterones (unspecified)
Stabilizer
seaweed
Tryptophan
Terpene
Tissue (unspecified)
Thyroid
Thyroid
Testosterone precursor (unspecified)
Tyrosine
Vitexicarpin
Vitamin B
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Vitex (unspecified)
Vitamin (unspecified)
Withanolides
Withanolide