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Acromegaly
Alternate Names : Growth Hormone Excess, Somatotroph Adenoma
Definition Acromegaly is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by the presence of too much growth hormone. It results in gradual enlargement of body tissues including the bones of the face, jaw, hands, feet, and skull.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Acromegaly occurs in about 6 of every 100,000 adults. It is caused by abnormal production of growth hormone after normal growth of the skeleton and other organs is complete. Excessive production of growth hormone in children causes gigantism rather than acromegaly.
The cause of the increased hormone secretion is usually a benign tumor of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, which is located just below the brain, controls the production and release of several different hormones including growth hormone.
There are no known risk factors for acromegaly other than a prior history of a pituitary tumor.
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• Definition
• Acromegaly Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Acromegaly Symptoms & Signs
• Acromegaly Prevention
• Acromegaly Diagnosis & Tests
• Acromegaly Treatment
• Acromegaly Prognosis
• Acromegaly Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Arthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Hypopituitarism
• Pituitary Tumor
• Spinal Cord Trauma
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids
• 17-Ketosteroids
• Cranial CT Scan
• Creatinine - Serum
• Creatinine - Urine
• Growth Hormone
• MRI of the Head
• Thoracic Spine X-Ray
Other Topics
• Ankle Pain
• Cardiovascular
• Chronic
• Elbow Pain
• Excessive or Unwanted Hair in Women
• Fatigue
• Foot Pain
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Hip Pain
• Hoarseness or Changing Voice
• Joint Pain
• Knee Pain
• Muscle Cramps
• Shoulder Pain
• Sweating - Excessive
• Swelling
• Vision Problems
• Weakness
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
• Wrist Pain
Review Date : 5/12/2002
Reviewed By : Stephanie Fish, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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