How is acromegaly diagnosed?
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Because the physical changes caused by acromegaly happen gradually, diagnosis usually occurs many years after the symptoms first begin. Doctors may examine photographs and x-rays taken over time to check bone growth, looking to see if there is a thickening of the bones in the skull and fingers. Blood tests are used to determine if there are high levels of growth hormone and a protein called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and scans such as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or the computed tomography (CT) can spot tumors on the pituitary gland that cause acromegaly.
Because the physical changes caused by acromegaly happen gradually, diagnosis usually occurs many years after the symptoms first begin. Doctors may examine photographs and x-rays taken over time to check bone growth, looking to see if there is a... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that is caused when the tumor in your pituitary gland causes the gland to produce too much growth hormone, GH. This is a serious disorder that requires treatment by your doctor.Diagnosis of acromegaly is based on your individual symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may ask you to have several tests, including magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, blood tests, and hormone testing.
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that is caused when the tumor in your pituitary gland causes the gland to produce too much growth hormone, GH. This is a serious disorder that requires treatment by your doctor. Diagnosis of acromegaly is based on... More
