Do I Have Acromegaly?

Have you noticed that your hands and feet have become larger and swollen?

Have you notice a change in a ring or shoe size, especially shoe width?

Have you noticed that your lips, nose, and tongue have become larger?

Do you have coarsened, enlarged facial features (your brow and lower jaw jut out, bridge of the nose gets bigger, and space between teeth increases)?

Do you have a coarse, oily, thickened skin?

Do you have excessive sweating and body odor?

Has your voice become deeper and husky?

Do you have skin tags (small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface, which may get larger or darker)?

Do you have headaches, fatigue and muscle weakness?

Do you snore extremely loud?

Do you have impaired vision?

Do you have pain and limited joint mobility?

If you are a woman, do you have irregular menstrual cycle?

If you are a man, do you have erectile problems?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have acromegaly. Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that mostly affects adults, but it can appear at any age. It occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone (GH). A large amount of this hormone causes the body's organs, tissues and bones to increase in size. Acromegaly causes changes in appearance such as enlarged hands, feet, ears and nose. This condition develops gradually, so many people notice changes in their appearance when comparing old photos with newer ones. Acromegaly is a rare condition. The increased amount of growth hormone in children is called gigantism.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have acromegaly. Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder caused by increased production of growth hormone (GH). A large amount of this hormone in your blood causes increased growth of the body’s tissues and bones. It also interferes with the metabolism of the blood sugar and fat, which leads to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The main cause of acromegaly is a tumor in the pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors are usually noncancerous. Your doctor will order blood tests to measure your level of GH, and imaging tests to determine the possible presence of pituitary tumors.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have acromegaly. Acromegaly is a rare medical condition that occurs due to excessive production of growth hormone (GH). The signs and symptoms of acromegaly can often be mistaken for the normal aging process, or the onset of menopause in women aged 40 and over. In most cases, acromegaly can be well managed and treated. Treatment includes surgery, medication and radiation therapy. The treatment goal is to control the size of the tumor, return the hormone levels back to normal and manage associated health problems. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you.