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Questions and Answers
What is the most common cause of excess growth hormone production?
What is the most common cause of excess growth hormone production?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with excess growth hormone secretion?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom associated with excess growth hormone secretion?
Which genetic syndrome is associated with causing excess growth hormone production?
Which genetic syndrome is associated with causing excess growth hormone production?
What cardiovascular issue can arise due to excess growth hormone secretion?
What cardiovascular issue can arise due to excess growth hormone secretion?
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Which symptom is specifically associated with joint and muscle issues due to excess growth hormone?
Which symptom is specifically associated with joint and muscle issues due to excess growth hormone?
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Which of the following factors is least likely to contribute to the development of acromegaly?
Which of the following factors is least likely to contribute to the development of acromegaly?
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Which symptom is most commonly associated with the physical changes resulting from acromegaly?
Which symptom is most commonly associated with the physical changes resulting from acromegaly?
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What metabolic change is most commonly linked to acromegaly?
What metabolic change is most commonly linked to acromegaly?
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Which of the following is a rare cause of acromegaly?
Which of the following is a rare cause of acromegaly?
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Which of the following symptoms can occur due to the compression of optic nerves by a pituitary tumor?
Which of the following symptoms can occur due to the compression of optic nerves by a pituitary tumor?
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Study Notes
Causes
- Pituitary Adenoma: Most common cause; benign tumor in the pituitary gland leads to excess growth hormone (GH) production.
- Genetic Syndromes: Includes Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and McCune-Albright syndrome.
- Giant Cell Tumors: Rarely, tumors in other locations can cause excess GH secretion.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Increased production of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) by hypothalamus or other factors affecting GH secretion.
Symptoms
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Physical Changes:
- Enlargement of hands and feet
- Facial changes (prognathism, enlarged nose, thickened skin)
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Metabolic Disturbances:
- Insulin resistance leading to diabetes mellitus
- Dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels)
-
Joint and Muscle Issues:
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of median nerve)
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Vision Problems:
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Visual field defects due to pituitary expansion
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Cardiovascular Issues:
- Hypertension
- Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly)
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Other Effects:
- Sleep apnea
- Increased risk of certain cancers
- Galactorrhea (milk production) if associated with prolactin-secreting tumors.
Causes of Acromegaly
- Pituitary adenoma is the primary cause of acromegaly. This is a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that results in excessive growth hormone (GH) production.
- Genetic syndromes such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and McCune-Albright syndrome can also lead to acromegaly.
- Giant cell tumors, while rare, can also cause excessive GH secretion.
- Hormonal imbalances, including increased production of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) by the hypothalamus or other factors affecting GH secretion, can contribute to acromegaly.
Symptoms of Acromegaly
- Physical changes include enlargement of hands and feet and facial changes such as prognathism (protruding jaw), an enlarged nose, and thickened skin.
- Metabolic disturbances are common, including insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels).
- Joint and muscle issues such as arthralgia (joint pain) and carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve) can occur.
- Vision problems like loss of peripheral vision and visual field defects can arise due to the pituitary gland expanding.
- Cardiovascular issues such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) are potential complications.
- Other effects include sleep apnea, an increased risk of developing certain cancers, and galactorrhea (milk production) if the acromegaly is associated with a prolactin-secreting tumor.
Acromegaly
- Most common cause: Pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor that secretes excess growth hormone (GH).
- Genetic mutations: Can be associated with familial syndromes like Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and McCune-Albright syndrome.
- Excessive GH release: Potentially caused by ectopic production of GH or GHRH from other tumors (e.g., lung, pancreas).
- Other rare causes: Certain endocrine disorders leading to increased GH levels.
Symptoms
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Physical changes:
- Enlargement of extremities (hands and feet)
- Facial changes: enlarged jaw, nose, and forehead; thickened skin
- Organ enlargement (e.g., heart, liver)
-
Metabolic changes:
- Increased insulin resistance
- Diabetes mellitus due to excessive GH
-
Other common symptoms:
- Joint and muscle pain (arthralgia and muscle weakness)
- Cardiovascular issues: hypertension, cardiomyopathy, increased risk of heart disease
- Sleep apnea due to enlarged pharyngeal tissues
- Vision problems: headaches and vision loss due to pituitary tumor affecting optic nerves
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Impotence in men
- Fatigue
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Description
This quiz explores the causes and symptoms of acromegaly, including the role of pituitary adenomas, genetic syndromes, and hormonal imbalances. Understand the physical changes, metabolic disturbances, and other complications associated with this condition.
