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Acromegaly - heavy endocrine the disease developing as a result chronic hyperproduction somatotroph pitutiary adenoma of a hormone.
Symptoms and signs may include:
 Soft tissue thickening on the palms of the hand
Enlargement of hands (ring size), feet (shoe size) and head (hat size)
Enlargement of forehead (frontal bossing) and jaw (prognathism) with pronounced underbite, spreading teeth, and enlarging tongue
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Arthritis
Oily skin and excessive sweating
Tiredness, fatigue, depression
Impotence, loss of libido
Interrupted menstrual cycle (amennorrhea), galactorrhea
Heart disease and heart enlargement (cardiomegaly and left ventricular hypertrophy)
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Sleep apnea
Loss of vision
Headaches
Colon polyps and colon cancer
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of acromegaly is confirmed by demonstrating elevated levels of both GH and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1 is growth hormone's target hormone, also known as somatomedin-C). Lack of suppression of GH to oral glucose administration (glucose tolerance test) is often used to confirm excess GH production. Following the biochemical confirmation of acromegaly, an MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging )of the pituitary (or a CT scan) should be performed to confirm the presence of a pituitary adenoma. Comparison of old and recent photographs will often demonstrate the marked change in facial appearance of patients who develop acromegaly. |
