Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder caused by excessive production of growth hormone (GH) after the growth plates have closed, leading to an abnormal growth of bones and tissues. A very famous example of acromegaly is André René Roussimoff, aka WWE wrestler André The Giant. André was an astounding 7’4”, 520 lbs, and had a shoe size of 58.

Some symptoms of acromegaly include: Enlargement of extremities (hands, feet), coarsening of facial features, thickening of skin, joint pain and stiffness, headaches, vision problems. Acromegaly is usually caused by benign tumors (adenomas) of the pituitary gland, which secretes excessive growth hormone.

Even though acromegaly has very noticeable symptoms, one can still be tested if they have the trait or are silent carriers. Certain blood tests measure growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and imaging studies (MRI or CT scans) to locate pituitary tumors both can show the presence of acromegaly.

Although acromegaly may not physically pose a threat, it commonly shortens one’s lifespans by large margins without proper treatment. There are a few treatment options presented for acromegaly that vary due to the patient’s prognosis. The pituitary tumor, a tumor located on the pituitary gland that is responsible for producing hormones that affect things such as growth and metabolism, could get surgically removed via a transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery (simply put: through the nose). If the tumor can not be surgically removed, a patient can receive radiation therapy. A very precise beam of radiation will gradually eradicate the tumor. If the tumor is deemed not malignant, taking medications to reduce growth hormone production will serve as a viable treatment option.

With appropriate treatment, symptoms can be controlled and thus quality of life improved. Regular monitoring is essential to manage potential complications such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis.