A
ACTH
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and flows through the blood to the adrenal glands to tell them to produce more cortisol.
Adenoma
A benign tumor or growth. A pituitary adenoma is not cancerous.
Adrenalectomy
Surgical removal of the adrenal glands.
ADH
Anti-diuretic hormone or vasopressin. This hormone is produced by the pituitary and causes the kidneys to conserve body fluids.
Agonist
An agonist is a molecule that triggers the same effects and actions as a naturally occurring molecule or hormone. It stimulates or activates cellular responses just like the natural hormone. For example, a dopamine agonist causes the same effect on cells as dopamine itself by binding to the same receptor on the surface of cells. This causes the cell to respond in the same way as it would in the presence of the real hormone.
Antidiuretic Hormone (Vasopressin)
The pituitary hormone that controls water balance.
B
Bromocriptine
A drug of a type called dopamine agonists can be used to reduce prolactin production in people with prolactinomas. Its brand name is Parlodel, and it was produced by Novartis.
C