Hyperpituitarism causes two categories of symptoms: some caused by abnormal hormone secretion and others induced by the tumor itself. The latter consist of headaches and visual impairment, caused by optic nerve compression, or even hypopituitarism. If prolactin hypersecretion occurs in a pubertal girl, she will present with pubertal arrest. Galactorrhea may also be present in this case. Pubertal boys and prepubertal children complain about growth failure, visual impairment, and headaches, but the first category also experiences pubertal arrest [1]. Medical history and physical examination reveal menstrual abnormalities, acanthosis nigricans, and gynecomastia, in addition to other traits of the disease the patients notice.

Excess growth hormone causes acromegaly in adults and gigantism in children. Gigantism presents as accelerated complete growth in children, whereas acromegaly is characterized by the growth of the extremities (fingers and toes) and facial coarsening [2], as well as occlusion changes and apertognathia [3] [4]. Additional features include macrocephaly, prognathism, frontal bossing, irregular menses in women, and hyperhidrosis. The distance between teeth increases and the lips become thicker and darker [5]. In adult patients, cardiac hypertrophy sets in during the progression of the disease. Uterine, prostate, and colon benign tumors seem to have an increased incidence in these patients. The physician must also keep in mind the fact that these patients are prone to develop diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathies, as well as muscular and articular disorders, and conduct an active surveillance in this area [6] [7].

If the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is involved, patient present with symptoms of excessive glucocorticoid secretion: hypertension, hirsutism, weight gain, acne, fatigability, and sleep apnea signs [8]. The clinician is often able to highlight the presence of the typical Cushing facies, as well as a dorsal cervical fat pad and bruising.

• Galactorrhea

  Galactorrhea may also be present in this case. Pubertal boys and prepubertal children complain about growth failure, visual impairment, and headaches, but the first category also experiences pubertal arrest. [symptoma.com]

  Symptoms of prolactinoma or galactorrhea may include tender breasts in women, breasts that begin to produce milk in non-pregnant women, reproductive dysfunctions, irregular periods, infertility, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction and low energy levels [xpertdox.com]

  Pubertal females frequently present with symptoms of pubertal arrest or hypogonadism (with or without galactorrhea) due to suppression of gonadotropin secretion or local compression of the pituitary. [emedicine.medscape.com]

  A prolactinoma can cause women who are not pregnant or nursing to experience tenderness of the breasts and start to produce breast milk (galactorrhea). Their menstrual periods may become irregular or might stop altogether. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  In females this causes lactation even when not pregnant ( galactorrhea ). The same can happen in men but it is rare. Breast swelling and enlargement may be seen in both genders and in men this is known as gynecomastia. [healthhype.com]

• Fatigue

  Muscle weakness, fatigue and lethargy. (Hotman Rumahardo, 2000: 39). Test and Diagnosis Serum prolactin levels ; ACTH, GH. CT - Scan / MRI. Measurement of visual field. Hormone tests. Angiography. Glucose tolerance test. [purba-java-indo.blogspot.com]

  Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include anxiety or nervousness, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeats, exhaustion, fatigue, muscle weakness & loss of weight. [xpertdox.com]

  Prolactin deficiency: In women, symptoms include lack of milk production, fatigue, and loss of underarm and pubic hair. No symptoms are seen in men. ADH deficiency: Symptoms include increased thirst and urination. [annbyers.yolasite.com]

  For adults and children: muscle weakness and fatigue; sweating profusely; gaining weight; sinus congestion; oily skin; tongue size increases; voice sounds hollow; joint pain; oversleeping; tingling feeling in hands; unexpected mood changes. [azsymptoms.com]

  Side effects can include headaches, fatigue, and abnormal liver function. Dopamine agonists make up the third medication group. [niddk.nih.gov]

• Antipsychotic Agent

  Agents Phase 4,Phase 3,Phase 2,Not Applicable 29 Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists Phase 4,Not Applicable 30 Paliperidone Palmitate Phase 4 31 Dopamine Antagonists Phase 4,Phase 3,Not Applicable 32 Tranquilizing Agents Phase 4,Phase 3,Phase 2,Not [malacards.org]

  A prospective study of hyperprolactinemia in children and adolescents treated with atypical antipsychotic agents. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2004. 14:350-358. [Medline]. Sakazume S, Obata K, Takahashi E, et al. [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Pseudotumor

  Pseudotumor cerebri after surgical remission of Cushing's disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010. 95:1528-32. [Medline]. [Full Text]. Kunwar S, Wilson CB. Pediatric pituitary adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Dec. 84(12):4385-9. [Medline]. [emedicine.medscape.com]

• Intravenous Administration

  A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test can also be performed if a doubt exists, given that intravenous administration of TRH leads to an abrupt increase of prolactinemia 15 to 30 minutes later in normal individuals. [symptoma.com]

• Hyperpnea

  See Also: hyperpatriotically hyperpatriotism hyperperfection hyperperistalsis hyperperistaltic hyperpersonal hyperphagia hyperphysical hyperpigmentation hyperpigmented hyperpituitarism hyperplane hyperplasia hyperploid hyperpnea hyperpolarize hyperpolysyllabic [wordreference.com]

• Acroparesthesia

  Symptoms of acromegalySymptoms of acromegaly Facial change, acral enlargement, and soft-Facial change, acral enlargement, and soft- tissue swellingtissue swelling Excessive sweatingExcessive sweating Acroparesthesiae/ carpal tunnel syndromeAcroparesthesiae [slideshare.net]

Hyperpituitarism workup should concentrate on detecting abnormal pituitary gland function based on whatever clinical findings the physician encounters. For instance, if hyperprolactinemia is suspected, serum prolactin should be measured several times if the obtained values are normal, but one determination is sufficient if a value above 200 ng/mL is found. A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test can also be performed if a doubt exists, given that intravenous administration of TRH leads to an abrupt increase of prolactinemia 15 to 30 minutes later in normal individuals. Prolactinoma patients usually do not show this increase in prolactin serum levels.

A patient with an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - releasing adenoma should undergo a urinary free cortisol excretion measurement, as well as a plasma cortisol determination. The first test accurately measures the cortisol secretion rate, while the second one needs to be interpreted based on the time the blood sample was drawn, keeping in mind that cortisol levels are normally highest from 6 to 8 AM and decline during the day. The lack of variation suggests Cushing disease. Additional investigations include the dexamethasone suppression testing and the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation testing in uncertain cases.

When growth hormone oversecretion is suspected, the following tests should be ordered: serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) measurement, serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) dosage, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). After 1.75-g/kg oral glucose ingestion (maximum 75g), the serum growth hormone level should decrease to less than 5 ng/dL within 3 hours in healthy individuals.

The presence of the pituitary adenoma itself may be revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium administration, what is considered to be the gold standard [9] [10].

1. Ciccarelli A, Daly AF, Beckers A. The epidemiology of prolactinomas. Pituitary. 2005;8:3-6.
2. Chanson P, Salenave S. Acromegaly. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2008;3:17.
3. Sarment DP, Weisgold AS. The importance of dentistry in the differential diagnosis of a medical disorder. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 1998;19:124–126.
4. Cohen RB, Wilcox CW. A case of acromegaly identified after patient complaint of apertognathia. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1993;75:583–586.
5. Lima DL, Montenegro RM, Jr, Vieira AP, et al. Absence of periodontitis in acromegalic patients. Clin Oral Investig. 2009;13:165–169.
6. Ayuk J, Sheppard MC. Growth hormone and its disorders. Postgrad Med J. 2006;82:24–30.
7. Nabarro JD. Acromegaly. Clin Endocrinol. 1987;26:481–512.
8. Colao A, Loche S, Cappabianca P. Pituitary adenomas in children and adolescents. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. The Endocrinologist. 2000;10:314-327.
9. Chaudhary V, Bano S. Imaging of pediatric pituitary endocrinopathies. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2012;16(5):682-691.
10. Lonser RR, Ksendzovsky A, Wind JJ, et al. Prospective evaluation of the characteristics and incidence of adenoma-associated dural invasion in Cushing disease. J Neurosurg. 2012;116(2):272-279.