Been referred to an endocrinologist, re pituitary gland ? Why. And a bit worried.

[Kasterborous]

I went to my GP because I haven't had a period for four months. I had some blood tests done, and one was repeated after a week, as my luteinising hormone level was raised both times. I'm 41 so assume its the start of the menopause. But she said she has referred me to make sure it's not anything to do with my pituitary gland. Does anyone know what else it could be, I'm a bit worried. I'm not googling it as I will only end up more worried.

Sometimes the pituitary gland fails to keep working properly as we age and it can cause various hormonal problems - very rarely serious.

It can malfunction due to a tumour (rare and not usually life threatening), an earlier knock to the head or just a simple slowing down.

I have hypothyroidism due to a misfunctioning pituitary gland and my scan showed that I had previously fractured my skull and hadn't noticed. The endo reckoned that this bump was big enough to knock out my pituitary gland but the decrease in function was incredibly gradual.

It's pretty safe to google as it's really rare for it to be something life threatening - most of the dysfunction that it causes can be treated with replacement hormones of one sort or another. But yes, it can affect you LH levels so it might not be early menopause.

Hope it goes okay but please don't worry as they may need to do a scan to determine one way or another.

Thank you Bilstory that has put my mind at ease a bit, think I will be fine tomorrow once I've had some sleep tonight. fingers crossed DD not up at 4.30 again