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Acromegaly is caused when a tumour on the Pituitary gland produces too much Growth hormone (GH). These tumours are almost always benign (i.e. not cancerous) and therefore do not spread to other areas of the body. Acromegaly is a very rare condition and usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50. If the condition develops before a person has stopped growing (which usually occurs between the ages of 15 to 17 years of age), it causes Gigantism because growth hormone promotes growth of bones in the body. Typical symptoms- coarsening of facial features
- enlarged hands and feet
- thickening of the soft tissue in the palms and soles of the feet
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (tingling feeling or pains in the hands)
- excessive sweating and oily skin
- headaches
- vision disturbance
- Sleep apnoea
- general tiredness
- irregular periods (Oligomenorrhoea) or loss of normal menstrual function (Amenorrhoea) - adult females
- impotence - adult males
- reduced fertility
- decrease in sex drive
All these symptoms tend to develop gradually and the changes may not be noticed for some time. Resources available from The Pituitary Foundation
Ipsen Limited, the UK subsidiary of the Ipsen Group, has launched a patient information resource for people with acromegaly entitled Your guide to Acromegaly. The booklet addresses many of the frequently asked questions about acromegaly and includes a section on self-help and support. It also contains a DVD featuring Professor Ashley Grossman, Professor of Neuroendocrinology, Barts and The London School of Medicine and NHS Trust, together with people who have acromegaly discussing the symptoms of the condition and the various treatments ranging from surgery, Radiotherapy to medical management. This booklet, issued in 2010, is a replacement for the Understanding Acromegaly DVD which was issued in 2005. Copies of Your guide to Acromegaly can be obtained from: Louise Blakeborough, Chapter Five
lblakeborough@chapterfive.co.uk Tel: 01306 731800 (Please note that copies are NOT available from The Pituitary Foundation)
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Pituitary Disorders 
