Signs & Symptoms

Acromegaly is associated with many symptoms. Most of these can be directly related to having excess levels of growth hormone in the body and some may be more likely due to the pituitary gland tumor pressing on nearby parts of the brain.

The pituitary gland tumor can also compress the normal pituitary gland and prevent it from working properly. A deficiency of one or more hormones produced by the pituitary gland is called hypopituitarism.

Acral symptoms affect the face and extremities. If you or someone you love suffers from at least 1 acral symptom or 3 or more suggestive symptoms AND 1 or more of the associated conditions, print this page and ask your doctor about receiving an IGF-1 test.

Acral Symptoms causing facial changes:

  • Enlargement of your hands, feet, and head

  • Protruding jaw

  • Prominent forehead (Frontal Bossing)

  • Wide bridge of the nose

  • Widely spaced teeth

  • Enlarged lips

  • Enlarged tongue

  • Thicker, rough skin

Acromegaly suggestive symptoms impacting quality of life:

  • Snoring

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue

  • Depression

  • Colon polyps

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Excessive sweating

  • Excessive saliva production

  • Skin changes (such as skin tags, rough and oily skin or thickened skin)

  • Tingling in hands, feet, arms or legs

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Loss of or impaired vision

  • Overproduction of Prolactin (Milk overproduction - in men or women)

  • Impotence, loss of libido

  • Abnormal / Interrupted menstrual cycle

  • Deeper / husky voice

  • Low sex drive

Associated Acromegaly medical complications:

  • Cardiovascular

    • Heart disease and heart enlargement

    • Hypertension / High blood pressure

    • Diabetes / Diabetes mellitus

  • Sleep Apnea syndrome

  • Malignancy

    • Cancer risks such as colon cancer

    • Aggressive cancer changes

  • Arthropathy

    • Arthritis

    • Joint Pain (more pain on weight bearing joints)

  • Gallstones

  • Mortality

    • 2- to 5-fold increase in mortality rate

    • Causes of pre-mature death

      • Cerebrovascular

      • Respiratory

      • Malignancy

      • Cardiovascular