Empty Sella Syndrome and Weight Gain

Empty sella syndrome (ESS) is an uncommon illness in which the pituitary gland gets flattened or shrunken due to problems with the sella turcica. Your pituitary gland is encased and shielded by a bone structure called the sella turcica, which is located near the base of your brain.

The sella turcica is a chamber that looks like a saddle. There are other symptoms associated with ESS, such as hormone imbalances, recurrent headaches, and visual problems.

The pituitary gland is a tiny gland that resides at the base of your brain, directly below where your hypothalamus is located. It is a component of your endocrine system and is responsible for producing a wide range of essential hormones. These hormones influence and regulate other glands within the endocrine system.

An empty sella might be classified as primary or secondary depending on how it was first discovered by your doctor.

Primary empty sella (PES) denotes that your doctor is unable to determine what is causing your pituitary gland to become flattened. Empty sella syndrome rarely results from primary empty sella.  It rarely manifests itself clinically.

Secondary empty sella (SES) occurs when the pituitary gland and/or the sella turcica undergo anatomical alterations due to a medically diagnosed underlying disease. This is typically the outcome of some sort of damage caused by a condition or occurrence.

Can empty sella (ESS) lead to weight gain?

If your pituitary gland is not releasing enough thyroid-stimulating hormone, then you may be at risk for developing empty sella syndrome (ESS), which can lead to weight gain (TSH).

TSH encourages the release of thyroid hormone from your thyroid, an endocrine gland that is positioned at the front of your neck beneath your skin. The primary function of your thyroid is to release thyroid hormones that regulate the rate at which your body converts the food you eat into energy. This process is known as metabolism.

Thyroid hormone production may be compromised if your pituitary gland is not producing enough TSH as a result of ESS. Your metabolism may slow down if your thyroid hormone levels are below normal, which could cause you to gain weight.

How to Diagnose Empty Sella?

When a patient is having neurological examinations for another cause, medical professionals frequently discover empty sella inadvertently. Additionally, most individuals with empty sella do not initially exhibit or progress to empty sella syndrome.

If you have empty sella syndrome symptoms like regular headaches and changes in your hormone levels, your doctor may inquire about you past medical history, do a routine body exam, and most probably request an imaging test of your head and brain.

The following imaging techniques are used by medical professionals to identify ESS:

CT-Scan: It utilizes X-rays and a computer to produce precise images of the pituitary gland and your brain.

MRI: MRI machine uses radio waves and powerful magnets to produce precise images of specific body structures and parts, including the sella turcica.