Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder caused by excess growth hormone after the growth plates have closed. It gradually enlarges bones and soft tissues, especially in the hands, feet, and face.

Growth hormone: A pituitary hormone that promotes growth and influences metabolism, acting partly through insulin-like growth factor 1. Persistent excess of this hormone drives the tissue and bone changes of acromegaly.
Oral glucose tolerance test: A test that measures blood glucose and related hormones after a person drinks a glucose solution. Growth hormone typically fails to suppress after glucose in acromegaly.
Obstructive sleep apnea: Repeated interruption of breathing during sleep caused by upper-airway obstruction. Enlarged soft tissues in the airway can raise the risk of this disorder.
Somatotroph adenoma: A pituitary adenoma formed by growth-hormone-producing somatotroph cells. This tumor type is the direct source of growth hormone in most cases of acromegaly.
Prognathism: Forward projection of one or both jaws relative to the rest of the face. Growth of the jaw can change the facial profile in acromegaly.
Insulin-like growth factor 1: A hormone produced mainly by the liver in response to growth hormone that mediates many of its growth-promoting effects. Its sustained elevation reflects growth hormone excess and helps confirm the disorder.
Pituitary MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging used to visualize the pituitary gland and nearby structures. It locates and characterizes the pituitary tumor after biochemical evidence supports acromegaly.
Acromegalic cardiomyopathy: Heart muscle disease associated with prolonged excess growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. Chronic hormone excess can enlarge and impair the heart, contributing to cardiovascular complications.
Ectopic growth hormone–releasing hormone secretion: Production of growth hormone–releasing hormone by a tumor outside the hypothalamus. This uncommon cause can overstimulate the pituitary and produce acromegaly.
Macroglossia: Abnormal enlargement of the tongue. Tongue enlargement is a soft-tissue manifestation of excess growth hormone.

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