What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly (ac-ro-MEG-a-lee) is a
rare hormonal disease that can cause enlargement
of the hands, feet, and parts of the face. It
can also cause other symptoms. People with
acromegaly may also be more likely to get
certain diseases, like heart disease or
diabetes. The diagnosis may be delayed for years
since symptoms show up slowly.
What causes acromegaly?
Acromegaly occurs when your body makes
too much growth hormone (GH).
Most often, the extra GH comes from a tumor
in the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is a small gland at
the base of the brain. It produces GH, a
hormone that your body needs in order to
grow and function properly. Your body uses
GH to produce another hormone called
insulin-like growth factor I, or IGF-I
(I-G-F-wun).
When the pituitary gland makes too much
GH, your body creates too much IGF-I. And
that extra IGF-I can lead to many of the
uncomfortable symptoms and health
complications of acromegaly.
What problems can acromegaly cause?
You may notice:
- Growth or swelling in hands or feet
or an increase in ring or shoe size
- Growth in facial features (like the
chin, forehead, or nose)
- Increased spacing of teeth
- Enlarged tongue
- Increased sweating, unpleasant odor
- A tired feeling most of the time
You may also have:
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Thick, oily skin
- Pain in the joints (like the knees
or hips)
- Weak muscles
- Tingling (pins-and-needles feeling),
numbness (abnormal feeling), or weakness
of the hands
- Missing or irregular periods
- Unusual tiredness or exhaustion
- Swelling in the front of the neck,
caused by an enlarged thyroid gland
- Voice change (hollow-sounding voice)
- Breathing difficulties during sleep,
which can cause snoring/sleep
disturbances
- Decreased sex drive
- Skin tags (growths of excess skin)
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