Pituitary Disorders

Dr. Elena Varlamov in a white lab coat with a patient. Both covering one eye
Dr. Elena Varlamov is part of our large team of specialists for patients with pituitary disorders. She has advanced training in both endocrinology (hormones) and metabolism.

The OHSU Pituitary Center is a world leader in care for patients with pituitary disorders. Our providers are also on the front lines of research to improve care.

  • Dr. Maria Fleseriu, Pituitary Center director, is a global expert on pituitary disorders. She and her colleagues, including Dr. Elena Varlamov, continue to break new ground on understanding and treating these diseases.
  • Our team includes specialists at every step. They will work together to give you a precise diagnosis and care plan.
  • We focus not only on medical outcomes but on your quality of life.
  • We offer highly skilled neurosurgeons and an experience level shown to provide better outcomes.
  • Patients have access to innovative clinical trials. Our track record includes work that resulted in FDA approval for new medications.
  • You will find a range of services for patients and families, including an acromegaly support group.
Meet Dr. Maria Fleseriu, the internationally known neuroendocrinologist who heads the OHSU Pituitary Center.

Conditions we treat

Conditions we treat

We also treat conditions that are potentially linked to the pituitary gland:

  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Hypogonadism
  • Hypothyroidism

Our excellence

Complete care: Our center is one of the most comprehensive pituitary programs on the West Coast and one of the largest in the United States.

Expertise: Our team includes experts in endocrinology (focusing on the body’s hormone system), neurology/neurosurgery, and ear, nose and throat (ENT). We’re also part of the OHSU Brain Institute, a national leader in innovative research.

Experience: Each year, we treat more than 1,500 patients and do more than 100 surgeries in and around the pituitary gland. This high volume gives us a level of expertise that’s linked to better outcomes.

Leadership: Dr. Fleseriu is president of The Pituitary Society, leads its Physician Education Committee and serves in many other leadership roles. She and her team are also training the next generation of pituitary doctors.

For patients

  • Referral: To become a patient, please ask your doctor for a referral.
  • Questions: For questions or follow-up appointments, call 503-494-4314.

Location

Parking is free for patients and their visitors.

OHSU Pituitary Center
Center for Health & Healing Building 1
3303 S. Bond Ave.
Portland, OR 97239
Map and directions

‘I was hooked’

Dr. Maria Fleseriu in a clinic pointing at a monitor with an imaging test

Learn why Dr. Maria Fleseriu became interested in medicine as a child in Romania, and why she chose to focus on the pituitary gland.

Stay informed

News: Read about research breakthroughs, patient care and many other topics on the OHSU News site.

Complete care

Pituitary disorders involve many body parts and systems. Our integrated care, with experts working together across specialties, is crucial to giving you the right diagnosis and treatment.

You’ll benefit from our:

Team approach: We bring together any expert you need, including specialists in the hormone system, nervous system, vision, tumors, skin, gynecology and more.

Care as long as you need: We provide care as long as needed — sometimes for life. Long-term services include classes and support groups for you and your loved ones. We also regularly update your primary care doctor to keep all your providers in the know.

A focus on your well-being: We emphasize not only effective treatment but how treatments affect your quality of life. We place a high priority on managing side effects and helping you do the things that are important to you.

Diagnostic precision: Our pituitary specialists understand the nuances in symptoms of even rare pituitary disorders. You can count on our expertise for an accurate diagnosis, even for pituitary disorders that are often missed or misdiagnosed elsewhere.

Skilled neurosurgeons: Our neurosurgeons offer the highest level of skill and experience for complex pituitary procedures. They use minimally invasive techniques, with little scarring, less pain and less risk of complications.

Convenience: You’ll find all the specialists and tests you need in one place. We strive to give you answers, whether for a first diagnosis or a second opinion, in one day.

Second opinions

We’re happy to offer second opinions and to discuss cases with doctors in the community. Patients come to us from across the U.S. for answers about these disorders, which can be rare, complex and difficult to pinpoint. We can also offer guidance on treatment options.

Often, we can provide answers in one day. Our location on Portland’s South Waterfront, near highways and services, is convenient for out-of-town and out-of-state patients.

Research and clinical trials

Chris Yedinak (left), D.N.P., and Maria Fleseriu, M.D., care for patients and pursue studies to improve treatments and understanding.
Chris Yedinak (left), D.N.P., and Maria Fleseriu, M.D., care for patients and pursue studies to improve treatments and understanding.

Our team is on the front lines of international pituitary disorder research and clinical trials.

  • We offer patients access to a wide range of clinical trials to test new approaches. We will talk with you about trials that may be right for you.
  • We played a leading role in designing and running clinical trials that led to approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medications to treat acromegaly and Cushing disease.
  • Dr. Fleseriu led a clinical trial studying patients’ quality of life during acromegaly care. The results helped improve treatment effectiveness and patient experience. Our team has been a leader in focusing on patient well-being, which is now an accepted best practice.
  • Dr. Fleseriu has more than 150 publications, including in leading medical journals. Her team has also published extensively. Our providers and researchers speak nationally and internationally. Learn more about our team.