What causes excessive growth hormone?
In adults, a tumor is the most common cause of too much GH production: Pituitary tumors. Most acromegaly cases are caused by a noncancerous (benign) tumor (adenoma) of the pituitary gland. The tumor produces excessive amounts of growth hormone, causing many of the signs and symptoms of acromegaly.
Which term means abnormal growth of the entire body caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone before puberty?
Gigantism is an abnormal condition characterized by excessive height and size. This disorder typically occurs before puberty as a result of the over secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.
Which condition is caused by excessive growth hormone after puberty?
Acromegaly is a condition caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland that results in the body’s excessive production of growth hormone. Growth hormone is essential during puberty and is responsible for growth spurts. But after puberty, growth hormone production ordinarily drops to very low levels.
What is the excessive secretion of growth hormone that causes acromegaly and gigantism?
Gigantism and acromegaly are syndromes of excessive secretion of growth hormone (hypersomatotropism) that are nearly always due to a pituitary adenoma. Before closure of the epiphyses, the result is gigantism. Later, the result is acromegaly, which causes distinctive facial and other features.
Can you reverse acromegaly?
Bone changes of acromegaly are permanent. Many of the soft-tissue changes, such as swelling, enlarged tongue, thickened skin, acne, carpal tunnel syndrome, and goiter, and sexual problems, are reversible with treatment.
Does acromegaly cause hair loss?
The results indicate that hair loss is indeed a problem experienced by many patients who undergo surgery for acromegaly. Of those included in the study, more than half of participants (54%) experienced some level of hair loss between 3 and 6 months following their procedure.
How can you prevent acromegaly?
Prevention. Acromegaly cannot be prevented. Early treatment may prevent the disease from getting worse and help avoid complications.
Is acromegaly inherited?
Acromegaly sometimes runs in families, but most of the time it’s not inherited. Adenomas usually spontaneously develop because of a genetic change in a cell of the pituitary gland.
Who is most affected by acromegaly?
Men and women are affected equally. Most people who are diagnosed with acromegaly are aged between 30 and 50 years of age. Very rarely, acromegaly can be diagnosed in children and adolescents. Children and adolescents will, however, develop gigantism, whereas adults develop acromegaly.
Is acromegaly more common in males or females?
Acromegaly is more common in women who present at an older age with longer diagnostic delay. At presentation, women have a higher GH relative to IGF-1 level than men. QoL is more adversely affected in women both before and after treatment.
Is acromegaly considered a rare disease?
Acromegaly is a chronic rare disease associated with excess growth hormone secretion. It causes overgrowth of body tissues and, if untreated, can lead to secondary problems such as hypertension and heart failure. Failure to receive adequate medical treatment for this condition can reduce life expectancy by 10 years.
What is another name for acromegaly?
Overproduction of growth hormone causes excessive growth. In children, the condition is called gigantism. In adults, it is called acromegaly. Excessive growth hormone is almost always caused by a noncancerous (benign) pituitary tumor.
What happens if acromegaly goes untreated?
Osteoporosis, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Problems. If left untreated, acromegaly—when your body produces too much growth hormone—can lead to various complications. The most common acromegaly complications involve joint problems, pituitary hormone deficiency, and respiratory problems.