Also Known As
Gigantism and hyperpituitarism
Description
* Acromegaly is the excessive production of growth hormone, which continues to be produced well into adulthood. In adults it is involved in regulatory functions in the body, but since the growth plates are closed, excessive levels cause abnormal growth of hands, feet, and internal organs.
* Since pituitary tumors are the most common cause of this condition, other areas controlled by the pituitary are often affected (such as Prolactin and thyroid hormones).
* In children, excess growth hormone causes increased height known as gigantism.
Symptoms
* Headache
* Visual field loss or Double Vision
* Excessive sweating
* Hoarseness
* Milk secretion from breast
* Sleep Apnea
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Joint pain and limitation of motion
* Muscle weakness
* Numbness or tingling of skin
Cause
* Pituitary tumor (usually benign)
* Carcinoid Tumors
How The Diagnosis Made
* Examination:
1. Large "doughy" hands
2. Large feet
3. Large face
4. Enlarged jaw
5. Tongue problems
6. Big forehead
7. Darkened skin in armpits
8. Widely spaced teeth
9. Oily, tough skin
10. Skin pigmentation changes (i.e., darker or lighter)
11. Excessive hair growth in females
12. High Blood Pressure
13. Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
14. Kyphosis or loss of disc spaces of the spine
15. Osteoporosis
16. Osteoarthritis (e.g., knees)
* Laboratory findings:
1. Growth hormone level is high, even when patient receives glucose (sugar) load
2. Diabetes (elevated blood sugar) occurs in 30%
3. Elevated IGF-1 factor (Insulin-like growth factor)
4. Prolactin level (elevated)
5. Liver function tests (elevated)
6. Blood Urea nitrogen (elevated)
7. Phosphorus (elevated)
8. Free Thyroxine (decreased)
9. Thyroid stimulating hormone (elevated)
* Imaging:
- MRI shows pituitary tumor
Treatment
* Pituitary microsurgery to remove tumor
* Pituitary radiation if surgery fails
* Gamma knife radiation treatment (a special type of focused radiation)
* Medications that may help:
* Bromocriptine (helps decrease growth hormone in some patients)
* Octreotide (partially shrinks pituitary tumors)
Similiar Conditions
* Hyperprolactinemia
* Hypothyroidism
* Sleep Apnea
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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