About acromegaly
Understanding the signs and symptoms of acromegaly
Find out how acromegaly shows up in your body and why consistent
IGF-1=insulin-like growth factor 1.
Patricia, writer,
living with acromegaly
Understanding acromegaly
What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a rare condition. Most often, it’s caused by a noncancerous tumor in a small gland in the brain (called the pituitary gland). This tumor causes the gland to release too much growth hormone (GH). This extra GH then tells your liver to make too much of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
What are the risks of high IGF-1 levels?
Too much IGF-1 can cause body parts—like your hands, feet, and face—to grow slowly over time. Eventually, high levels of IGF-1 can raise the risk of serious conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. If left untreated, acromegaly can even be life-threatening.
What are the common symptoms of acromegaly?
Symptoms often develop slowly and can be easy to miss at first. You might notice some of the following signs:
- Enlarged hands or feet (rings, shoes, or gloves may not fit)
- Facial changes (larger nose, lips, tongue, jaw, or brow)
- Headaches
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Vision problems
- Tiredness or poor sleep
- Sweating
- Carpal tunnel (can cause numbness or weakness in your hands)
- Thicker, oilier skin
- Deeper voice
- Short-term memory difficulties
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with acromegaly is unique. People may have different symptoms, and those symptoms can change over time.
How is acromegaly treated?
The main goal of treatment is to bring your hormone levels back to normal so there’s less risk of potential serious health problems.
Depending on your symptoms, tumor size, and overall health, surgery may be completed to remove the tumor. Other treatment options might include medicine and/or radiation. Your doctor will help decide what works best for you.
Controlling acromegaly
Addressing acromegaly means managing both IGF-1 levels and symptoms.
IGF-1 levels
- High IGF-1 and GH levels are responsible for physical changes and complications associated with acromegaly
- Doctors check your IGF-1 levels to see how your acromegaly is doing. Keeping your IGF-1 level within the normal range is key to controlling acromegaly
Symptoms
- Acromegaly symptoms can deeply affect daily life. Many people experience symptoms that can make even routine tasks challenging
- Even if you have a normal IGF-1 level, you might still deal with acromegaly symptoms. This could mean your acromegaly isn’t fully controlled
Starting treatment early can make a big difference
Acromegaly is a rare and serious disease. It often takes years to get diagnosed, and even longer to get the right treatment. When acromegaly isn’t treated, it can lead to long-term health problems that can make daily life more difficult—and may even shorten your life. That’s why it’s important to treat acromegaly as soon as possible.
Early treatment helps control your hormone levels, reduce your symptoms, and can help protect your body from long-term damage. The sooner you start, the better chance you have at staying healthy for the long run.
Megan, fitness enthusiast,
living with acromegaly
Ready to take the next step?
Patricia, writer,
living with acromegaly