Diagnosis is by a blood test that shows the presence of the rheumatoid factor an antibody and xray images revealing changes around the affected joints. Prednisone ENDOCRINE SYSTEM HYPOTHALAMUS secretes releasing and inhibiting factors via capillaries to anterior pituitary adenohypophysis secretes hormones directly to posterior pituitary neurohypophysis A Secretes hormones B Stores and releases hormones FIGURE A The relationship of the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland.