Acromegaly
An expert's perspective
Lewis S. Blevins, MD, professor of neurological surgery at UCSF and Director of the California Center for Pituitary Disorders, shares his knowledge and experience to promote better understanding of acromegaly and improve patient care.
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Symptoms, care, and unmet needs in acromegaly
Symptoms
- Enlarged hands or feet
- Altered facial features
- Joint pains
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Paresthesia (tingling or numbness in limbs)
- Anxiety and depression
- Headache
- Soft tissue swellings
- Excessive sweating
- Sleep apnea
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made by an endocrinologist or a pituitary specialist (neuroendocrinologist), although referral may be made by doctors from a range of medical specialties. In patients with symptoms of acromegaly, diagnosis includes the measurement of growth hormone levels and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect a tumor in the pituitary gland.
Management
Surgery and/or medical treatment. Radiotherapy may be considered when both surgery and medical therapy fail.
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Learn more about acromegaly.