CONTENTS & INTRODUCTION

As pituitary disease is relatively rare in the UK, a GP may only see one or two patients with the condition through his or her career. Symptoms suffered by patients are wide-ranging and non-specific, and may not be recognised for some years. These pages and the published GP Factfile aims, therefore, to aid diagnostic skills and the shared after-care of patients.

INTRODUCTION - ABOUT THIS FACTFILE
These Factsheets were written in response to requests by General Practitioners and their pituitary patients for more information on pituitary disease. The Pituitary Foundation has already produced an excellent set of patient booklets explaining how pituitary disease can affect patients’ lives, the kind of treatments available and general advice on how to cope with particular problems. This Factfile includes more detailed information, specifically written for the GP. Each Factsheet gives background information on the condition, how it is investigated and possible treatments. Since many of the investigations and treatments may be used for
several different syndromes, the information on the sheets is extensively cross-referenced. Resources are provided on each Factsheet and an additional separate list, including organisations, is also included.

Factsheets:

1. Introduction
2. A Guide to Pituitary Apoplexy
3. Non-functioning pituitary tumours
4. Acromegaly
5. Cushing’s disease
6. Hyperprolactinaemia
7. Hypopituitarism
8. Craniopharyngioma
9. Diabetes insipidus
10. Pituitary surgery
11. Radiotherapy
12. Hormone replacement therapy
13. Hypogonadism
14. Psychological Issues
15. Referrals - Who and When to refer
16. Resource list
    

ABBREVIATIONS

• ACTH       Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone
• ADH         Antidiuretic hormone
• AVP         Vasopressin (ADH)
• CSF         Cerebrospinal fluid
• CT            Computed tomography
• DDAVP   Desmopressin
• DI             Diabetes Insipidus
• FSH         Follicle-stimulating hormone
• GH           Growth hormone
• GnRH     Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone
• LH           Luteinising hormone
• MRI         Magnetic resonance imaging
• PRL        Prolactin
• TSH        Thyroid-stimulating hormone
  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the many specialists in the world of endocrinology who have written these sheets including Stephanie Baldeweg, Peter Bayliss, Claire Blessing, Peter Clayton, Jurgen Honneger, Trevor Howlett, Stafford Lightman, John Monson, John Newell-Price, Peter Trainer and John Wass. They, alongside patients and GPs, read and made valued contributions to achieve this updated Factfile.
© 1999, 2006 and 2011 The Pituitary Foundation

DISCLAIMER:
Every care has been taken in the compilation of this Factfile to ensure it reflects current practice (as at publishing date).

Knowledge and clinical practice continually evolve. The reader is therefore advised to check with a specialist Endocrinologist or with a product manufacturer if they have any concerns.

The publishers and authors are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any consequences from the application of the information presented in this Factfile.

(The original Factfile was supported by an educational grant from Eli Lilly & Company Ltd)

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