Definition

Growth hormone (GH) controls the growth of soft tissue and bone. Elevated GH causes an excess of bone and soft tissue growth. In adults, this can cause a rare disorder called acromegaly. It can cause serious complications and early death if not treated.

In young children, bone fusion and growth is still occurring. Excess GH can cause a similar condition called gigantism.

Causes

The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain. It produces many hormones, including GH.

Risk Factors

Risk factors that increase your chance of developing acromegaly include:

• Family history (rare)
• Age: 40-45 years old

Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop slowly over time.

In children, the bones are elongated and cause soft tissue swelling. If not treated, children can grow to a height of 7-8 feet.

Symptoms and complications in adults may include:

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Acromegaly is often not diagnosed until years after its onset.

Blood tests will be done to measure the level of:

• Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)
• Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
• Other pituitary hormones

A glucose tolerance test may also be given to see if the GH level drops. It will not drop in cases of acromegaly.

If these tests confirm acromegaly, the following may be done to locate the tumor that is causing the disorder:

Treatment

The goals of treatment are to:

• Reduce production of GH to normal levels
• Stop and reverse the symptoms caused by excess GH
• Correct other endocrine abnormalities (thyroid, adrenal, sex organs)
• Reduce the tumor size

Treatment may include:

Prevention

There are no known steps to prevent acromegaly. Early treatment will help to prevent serious complications.