Pancreatic cancer causing testosterone/estrogen levels to be off? That's a new one to me as I don't think the pancreas has much to do with the HPTA outside of metabolism changes due to insulin regulation. I'm not a doctor by any means, but can you please explain why you would think the pancreas is involved here? I can see a pituitary issue or even a hypothalamus being the cause of a hormone imbalance, but you lost me here...
My bad...Not pancriatic...a Pituitary Gland Tumor......damn iphone.....
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A pituitary tumor can cause your pituitary gland to produce too much or too few hormones, which can cause problems in your body. Large pituitary tumors ***8212; those measuring about 1 centimeter (slightly less than a half-inch) or larger ***8212; are known as macroadenomas. Smaller tumors are called microadenomas. Macroadenomas can put pressure on the rest of the pituitary gland and nearby structures.
Symptoms related to tumor pressure
Signs and symptoms of pressure from a pituitary tumor may include:
Headache
Vision loss, particularly loss of peripheral vision
Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of pituitary hormone deficiency
Weakness
Less frequent or no menstrual periods
Body hair loss
Sexual dysfunction
Increased frequency and amount of urination
Unintended weight loss or gain
Symptoms related to hormone level changes
Some pituitary tumors, called functioning tumors, also produce hormones, generally causing an overproduction of hormones. Different types of functioning tumors can develop in your pituitary gland, each causing specific signs and symptoms and sometimes a combination of them.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting (ACTH) tumors
ACTH tumors produce the hormone adrenocorticotropin, which stimulates your adrenal glands to make the hormone cortisol. Cushing's syndrome results from your adrenal glands producing too much cortisol. Signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may include:
Fat accumulation around your midsection and upper back
Exaggerated facial roundness
A characteristic hump on the upper part of your back
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Muscle weakness
Bruising
Stretch marks
Thinning of your skin
Anxiety, irritability or depression
Growth hormone-secreting tumors
These tumors produce excess growth hormone. The effects from excess growth hormone (acromegaly) may include:
Coarsened facial features
Enlarged hands and feet
Excess sweating
High blood sugar
Heart problems
Joint pain
Misaligned teeth
Increased growth of body hair
Accelerated and excessive linear growth may occur in children and adolescents.
Prolactin-secreting tumors
Overproduction of prolactin from a pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) can cause a decrease in normal levels of sex hormones ***8212; estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Excessive prolactin in the blood can affect men and women differently.
In women, prolactinoma may cause:
Irregular menstrual periods
Lack of menstrual periods
Milky discharge from the breasts
In men, a prolactin-producing tumor may cause male hypogonadism. Signs and symptoms may include:
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Infertility
Loss of sex drive
Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting tumors
When a pituitary tumor overproduces thyroid-stimulating hormone, your thyroid gland makes too much of the hormone thyroxine. This is a rare cause of hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body's metabolism, causing:
Sudden weight loss
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Nervousness or irritability
Frequent bowel movements
Feeling warm or hot
When to see a doctor
If you develop signs and symptoms that may be associated with a pituitary tumor, see your doctor to determine if this is the cause of your symptoms. Pituitary tumors often can be treated effectively to return your hormone levels to normal and alleviate your signs and symptoms.
If you know that multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I) runs in your family, talk to your doctor about periodic tests that may help detect a pituitary tumor early.
