Pituitary Hormones (Online CE Course)

(based on 275 customer ratings)

Author: Jack A. Maggiore, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewers: Kevin F. Foley, PhD, MT, DABCC and Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM

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This course is intended to provide the basic information necessary regarding the pituitary gland and its role in the regulation of various functions of the body, and the importance of the clinical laboratory in assessing pituitary function.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 2/28/2026
Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 2/28/2026

Objectives

  • Recall the basic anatomy and physiology of the pituitary and hypothalamus
  • Describe an example of a hormone feedback mechanism related to the pituitary
  • Relate the pituitary hormones to their respective target tissue or organ system
  • Identify which common disease states are related to pituitary hormone deficiencies
  • Outline the methods most commonly used to analyze the pituitary hormones

Customer Ratings

(based on 275 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Pituitary Anatomy and Histology
  • Pituitary Function
  • Primary Roles of the Pituitary Hormones
      • The Many Roles of the Pituitary
    • Regulating Hormone Secretion
      • Regulation of Hormone Secretion
    • Regulating Growth and Development
      • Regulation of Growth and Development
    • Regulating Lactation
    • Other Roles of the Pituitary Hormones
      • Skin Pigmentation
      • Regulation of Mood and Pain
      • Which of the following is NOT among the primary functions of the pituitary gland?
  • Endocrine Relationships with Target Tissues
  • Disorders of the Pituitary Gland
  • Laboratory Analysis of Pituitary Hormones
      • The Laboratory's Role in Assessing Pituitary Function
    • The Gonadotropins
      • Measuring the Gonadotropins
    • Growth Hormone
    • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
      • Analysis of TSH
    • Prolactin
      • Laboratory Analysis of Prolactin
    • Adrenocorticotropin Hormone
    • Anti-Diuretic Hormone
      • Laboratory Assessment of ADH
      • Physicians rely upon the accurate, sensitive, and timely analysis of pituitary hormones to assist in diagnosing and treating endocrine disorders, wher...
  • Clinical Case Studies
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction:  Basic to Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical technologists, and technicians. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents. 
Course Description: This course is intended to provide the basic information necessary regarding the pituitary gland and its role in the regulation of various functions of the body, and the importance of the clinical laboratory in assessing pituitary function.
Author Information: Jack A. Maggiore, PhD, MT(ASCP) serves as Associate Laboratory Director of the Core Laboratory Operations and Point of Care Testing and Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois. Dr. Maggiore is a medical technologist, certified by the ASCP, with a Master of Science in Clinical Chemistry and a Doctorate in Pathology from the University of Illinois. His expertise includes clinical instrumentation, method development and validation, quality assurance, medical device clinical trials, and scientific regulatory affairs. His clinical research interests include the development of novel biomarkers for chronic diseases using blood spots and other non-conventional samples. Dr. Maggiore holds several medical device patents and has authored more than fifty peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters.
Reviewer Information:
Kevin F. Foley, PhD, MT, DABCC is the Director of Clinical Pathology for the Kaiser Permanente Northwest region. He also teaches clinical chemistry at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Foley earned his PhD in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at East Carolina School of Medicine in North Carolina. He has been working in laboratory medicine for over 15 years, starting his career as a medical technologist.
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 184 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland


alpha and beta subunits of pituitary hormones


Basophilic bells of the adenohypophysis produce the gonadotropins


Endocrine system_shutterstock


Organs influenced by the pituitary gland_shutterstock


NIH adrenal gland


normal pituitary shutterstock


hypothalamus