Pituitary Disorders Tests

Accurately diagnosing pituitary disorders requires an expert and deeply experienced team that can accurately diagnose you — so that you get the best and most effective treatment. City of Hope’s team of highly trained experts use their clinical expertise, honed by seeing many types of pituitary disorders, to provide you with the most accurate diagnosis.

Tests Used to Diagnose Pituitary Tumors

  • A physical exam and medical history will be taken to assess any symptoms you have along with your family history.
  • Hormone levels are tested to determine whether a tumor is causing changes to hormones. These may include tests to gauge whether a tumor is causing abnormal secretion of substances including: growth hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1, follicle-stimulating hormones, adrenocorticotropic hormones, gonadotropin and prolactin.
  • Imaging tests may be used to gauge the size of the tumor and structures that may be involved with the tumor's growth, including:
    • MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create a series of pictures of the brain and nearby structures.
    • CT scan uses X-rays to provide detailed images of brain structures, revealed as thin cross-sections.