Acromegaly is a rare medical condition in which the body produces too much growth hormone which causes the body tissues and bones to grow excessively. As time passes by the hands and feet become abnormally large. Acromegaly usually occurs in people aged between thirty to fifty years but it can occur in all ages too. The areas affected by acromegaly are the arms, legs, and face.
Symptoms of Acromegaly:
The detection of the symptoms of acromegaly is not easy as the symptoms develop very slowly. For instance, a person may notice over a period of several months that the ring on the person’s finger might feel tight and tighter as time passes and at the end might not fit at all. Common symptoms of acromegaly are enlarged bones in the face, feet, and hands. There is excessive hair growth in women known as hirsutism. The jaw and tongue are enlarged and the brows are prominent. The growth spurts are too much. The joints are inflamed and are painful resulting in limited amount of movement. There is gain in weight as well. Spaces appear between teeth and the fingers and toes get splayed. The voice becomes a hoarse and deep. The baby feels fatigued and tired and there is headache as well. The baby is unable to sleep. Excessive sweating and muscle weakness are also symptoms of this syndrome; there is a prominent body odor and the sebaceous glands become enlarged and produce too many oils in the skin. Skin tags appear on the skin which are not cancerous.
Causes of Acromegaly:
Growth hormone is an important hormone in the body that is responsible for the growth and development of the body. People having acromegaly have excessive amount of growth.
hormone in the body. Growth hormone causes excessive amount of bone growth and organ enlargement. The bones and organs of people having acromegaly are larger than those without the condition.
Diagnosis of Acromegaly:
Most of the people who have acromegaly do not even know that they have the condition because the onset of symptoms is too slow. If the doctors detect any symptoms of acromegaly, several tests will need to be done.
The tests which may be required are the following:
1. Blood Tests:
Blood tests do not accurately show if one has acromegaly as the levels of growth hormone fluctuates throughout the day but they are helpful in determining the levels of growth hormones in the blood. Instead of blood test a doctor may ask for a glucose tolerance test. In this test a person has to take 75 to 100 grams of glucose and then growth hormone levels are monitored. If one’s body is has normal levels of growth hormone then excess glucose will cause the body to suppress growth hormone levels. People having acromegaly will still show high levels of growth hormone.
2. Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1:
Doctors may also prescribe tests for a protein known as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The levels of IGF-1 are important in detecting any abnormal growth in the body.
3. Imaging Studies:
Doctors may suggest X-rays and MRI scans may require to check if there is excessive bone growth. The doctor also performs a detailed physical examination, and they may order a sonogram to check the size of internal organs.
If a person gets diagnosed with acromegaly then MRI and CT scans cab be used to help find pituitary tumor and determine its size. If a tumor is not found then the doctor may search for tumors in other areas like the chest, abdomen, or pelvis that may be causing excess GH production.
Published by Gerald Dewes.
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