Does empty sella syndrome (ESS) cause weight gain?

Does empty sella syndrome (ESS) cause weight gain?

Empty sella syndrome (ESS) can potentially cause weight gain if your pituitary gland isn’t releasing enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

TSH stimulates your thyroid — an endocrine gland that’s located in the front of your neck under your skin — to release thyroid hormone. Your thyroid’s main job is to release (secrete) thyroid hormones that control the speed of your metabolism (metabolic rate), which is the process of how your body transforms the food you consume into energy.

If your pituitary gland isn’t releasing enough TSH due to ESS, then your thyroid may not release enough thyroid hormone. Having lower-than-normal levels of thyroid hormone can slow down your metabolism, which can lead to weight gain.