The pituitary gland is one of the most important organs of the body, mainly because it has the function of producing many hormones in your body. If these glands are functioning properly, you should feel energized and healthy. To identify whether or not the performance of your pituitary gland, try to see a doctor. If it turns out that the condition is not good, your doctor will likely ask you to do hormone therapy or more natural methods such as changing your diet.
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Part 1 of 3: Performing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Check with a doctor
If you suspect that you have a problem with your pituitary gland, immediately consult a general practitioner or an endriconologist, a doctor who specializes in the endocrine system. Most likely, after that the doctor will do a blood test to measure the output of the pituitary gland.
After the first consultation process, the doctor may recommend a more in-depth examination, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan)
Step 2. Treat the underlying medical disorder
In some cases, the malfunctioning of the pituitary gland is triggered by a more serious underlying medical disorder. Supposedly, the doctor will also confirm or eliminate this possibility through the examination he does. For example, Cushing's disease is triggered by the growth of a tumor in the pituitary gland. As a result, the function of the pituitary gland will be chaotic and almost impossible to repair without the help of a doctor.
Step 3. Get hormone replacement therapy
Because the pituitary gland can regulate the production of various types of hormones in the endocrine glands, doctors need to first identify imbalanced hormone levels. Then, they will prescribe medications to treat specific hormonal imbalances, which are usually pills, liquids, injections, special patches, or gels.
- For example, thyroxine is a tablet that must be taken once a day, and is often prescribed to treat a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) imbalance.
- Be careful, hormone replacement drugs generally you have to take for life.
Step 4. Be prepared to perform surgical removal of the tumor
If the tumor is located near the pituitary gland, the doctor will most likely order scans and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Then, they will work closely with an endocrinologist or even an ophthalmologist, to determine the appropriate surgical procedure. After that, the surgeon will make a small incision in the nose to remove the tumor. If the surgery is successful, your pituitary gland should be fully functional afterward.
Most pituitary tumors are not life threatening if treated properly. However, its presence can also disrupt the body's system because it will suppress the pituitary gland or even help secrete hormones
Step 5. Get ready for radiotherapy
To clean up any remaining tumor after surgery, or if surgery isn't an option for your pituitary tumor, your doctor may recommend a direct radiation procedure, also known as radiotherapy. In this procedure, radiation exposure is expected to destroy the tumor over time. After the treatment is complete, you will most likely need to undergo hormone replacement therapy.
Step 6. Be willing to do routine checks
With or without surgery, and regardless of whether or not you have a tumor in your body, your doctor will most likely ask you to do blood tests every few months after your diagnosis. In addition, you may also be asked to do additional examinations, such as x-rays or eye tests. Commit to going through all of these checks to increase the success rate.
Regular monitoring is much more important for those of you who have problems with the pituitary gland and/or are planning a pregnancy
Step 7. Avoid medical recommendations that have not been scientifically tested
If you want to change the function of the pituitary gland, you are likely to be faced with a lot of pseudoscientific information. Before applying it, make sure the information you read or follow has gone through a medical testing process, not just based on personal opinions.
For example, some people claim to have found a way to decalcify the pituitary gland, even though their proposed method has not been scientifically tested
Step 8. Do nothing
Remember, changing the current hormonal balance is not necessarily the right decision. That is why, stimulating the pituitary gland can lead to misconceptions if taken literally. Understand that you want to get the pituitary gland to produce the right amount of hormones, nothing less and nothing more. Therefore, discuss with your doctor before changing hormone levels in the body, no matter how minor the change.
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Reduce sugar intake
To balance the pituitary gland, stop consuming refined sugar and eat more fresh foods instead of processed products. Always read labels on food packaging and avoid hidden sugars whose names sound strange, such as corn fructose. The pituitary gland is responsible for regulating the production of HGH (human growth hormone). Meanwhile, consuming too much sugar and refined carbohydrates risks increasing insulin levels, interfering with HGH production, and causing inflammation in the nervous system.
- Be aware of foods that are high in sugar, such as yogurt, cereals, granola bars, and flavored drinks.
- Look for healthier alternatives. For example, try drinking water with a slice of lemon instead of fizzy drinks.
Step 2. Increase protein intake, if needed
Supposedly, daily protein intake takes up about 10-35% of your total daily calories. Therefore, try to calculate your protein intake and identify whether or not to eat more low-fat meats, nuts, eggs, and fish. If you eat steak for dinner, for example, your body will generally convert it to amino acids that can be used as fuel for the pituitary gland to produce hormones. However, still consult a doctor before applying this method, yes!
Increasing protein intake can be dangerous for those of you who have kidney disease. Get your doctor's approval if this is your situation
Step 3. Do not eat large amounts of food before bed
Pituitary gland productivity peaks at night when you sleep. Precisely, at that time, the pituitary gland will produce various types of important hormones in large quantities. Therefore, avoid eating too much, especially those dominated by carbohydrates, at least two hours before bed so that insulin levels in the body remain stable. Doing so can maximize the performance of your pituitary gland.
For some people, eating small snacks can also help balance hormones
Step 4. Increase the intake of vitamins D, E, and A in the body
Of course you can buy a multivitamin that contains all three vitamins at once. However, the best way to increase your vitamin intake is to eat natural foods rich in vitamins, such as salmon or bell peppers. These three types of vitamins can stimulate hormone production by removing free radicals and harmful chemicals from your pituitary gland.
To increase your vitamin D intake, try eating foods such as tuna and whole grain cereals. Meanwhile, consume carrots and green leafy vegetables to increase vitamin A intake
Step 5. Increase the intake of manganese in the body
Foods such as legumes and green leafy vegetables can instantly increase the intake of manganese that can be used by the body. In general, some of the manganese intake will be absorbed by the bones, and some will be stored in the pituitary gland. Therefore, try to eat more foods that contain manganese to maintain the performance of the pituitary gland and increase the intake of antioxidants in the body.
Step 6. Try taking herbs
Milk thistle or sagebrush can be mixed into teas or other beverages. In addition, ginseng and alfalfa are also claimed to be able to improve the performance of your pituitary gland. You can generally consume these four types of herbs in the form of supplements or pills. However, still discuss with your doctor before applying this method, especially if you are currently taking medicines prescribed by a doctor.
Part 3 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Stay relaxed
When stressed, the body will produce the hormone cortisol. Unfortunately, excess cortisol levels can disrupt hormonal balance and interfere with the performance of pituitary and adrenal hormones. To prevent this from happening, try taking time to soak in a warm bath, read a fun book, spend time with loved ones, take a yoga class, or do other activities that can reduce your stress levels.
Step 2. Get the recommended amount of sleep each night
Since hormone production by the pituitary gland peaks at night, make sure you always get enough sleep to maximize its performance. Therefore, do not consume caffeine or look at blue screens, such as cell phones, before you go to sleep. The recommended sleep time for adults between the ages of 18 and 60 is 7 hours or more per night. Meanwhile, ages below or above this range require longer sleep.
Getting enough sleep can also lower cortisol levels, which in turn will improve pituitary gland function
Step 3. Exercise at least three times a week
Raising the heart rate can help the body's systems to function more efficiently and balance hormone production. No need to do too intense exercise. Instead, simply increase your heart rate for 30 minutes, at least three times a week, to reap the benefits. For example, try to always take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.
Step 4. Do yoga
Some yoga poses in the inversion category, such as the Upward Bow (Wheel) or Urdhva Dhanurasana, can improve blood flow to the pituitary gland. To learn it, try browsing the internet for yoga tutorial videos and practicing some of the recommended poses. If you want, you can also join the nearest yoga class, you know!
Be careful, yoga poses with inversion category can be dangerous for some people, especially for those of you who have had a stroke. Therefore, make sure you always discuss with your doctor before trying a new type of exercise
Step 5. Have a healthy weight
Being overweight risks reducing the productivity of the pituitary gland and prompting it to overproduce certain hormones, such as HGH, and limit the production of other hormones. To overcome this, try changing your diet to lose weight and restore balance to the pituitary gland. If necessary, you can also do this under the supervision of a special dietitian.
