Lisa Nachtigall MD, Clinical Director, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Clinical Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School provides an overview of Acromegaly.
Acromegaly is typically caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that produces excess growth hormone (GH) production and in turn causes the liver to overproduce another hormone, insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Too much GH or IGF-1 in the bloodstream signals the body to grow, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, including the enlargement of hands, feet, internal organs, and many others. Serious health conditions are associated with the progression of acromegaly, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, respiratory and cardiac disorders, and cerebrovascular disease.
People living with acromegaly can experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Enlargement of the hands, feet, tongue and internal organs
- Joint pain
- Sleep apnea
- Increased sweating
- Thickening of the facial features, especially the nose
- More prominent jaw and forehead
- Spreading out of the teeth
- Fatigue
- Pain and tingling in the hands and wrists
Other serious health conditions associated with the progression of acromegaly include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders, and cardiac and cerebrovascular disease. For more information on rare cancers and endocrine disorders, visit our disease pages.
