-Acromegaly = the body producing too much growth hormone (GH) after puberty (or closure of growth plates.
-Gigantism occurs if the excessive GH production occurs before closure of growth plate).
-Most common cause of acromegaly is pituitary adenoma that produces GH.
“Symptoms: Increase in hand and foot size, change in facial features (large mandible), carpal tunnel symptoms, hyperhidrosis, fatigue, proximal muscle weakness, decrease in libido, menstrual changes
Signs: Hypertension, coarse facial features, left ventricular hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, visceromegaly, hypercalciuria, goiter
Morbidity: Cardiac disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, increased risk of colon cancer, osteoporosis” AFP 2013
Further Reading / Reference
Am Fam Physician. 2013 Sep 1;88(5):319-327. Pituitary Adenomas: An Overview