What causes acromegaly?

Donna Hill Howes, RN

Family Medicine

Acromegaly is caused by the prolonged overproduction of growth hormone (GH) by the pituitary gland. The pituitary produces several important hormones that control body functions such as growth and development, reproduction, and metabolism. But hormones never seem to act simply and directly. They usually cascade or flow in a series, affecting each other's production or release into the bloodstream.

GH is part of a cascade of hormones that, as the name implies, regulates the physical growth of the body. This cascade begins in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus makes hormones that regulate the pituitary. One of the hormones in the GH series, or "axis," is growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce GH.

Secretion of GH by the pituitary into the bloodstream stimulates the liver to produce another hormone called insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I is what actually causes tissue growth in the body. High levels of IGF-I, in turn, signal the pituitary to reduce GH production.

The hypothalamus makes another hormone called somatostatin that inhibits GH production and release. Normally, GHRH, somatostatin, GH, and IGF-I levels in the body are tightly regulated by each other and by sleep, exercise, stress, food intake, and blood sugar levels. If the pituitary continues to make GH independent of the normal regulatory mechanisms, the level of IGF-I continues to rise, leading to bone overgrowth and organ enlargement. High levels of IGF-I also cause changes in glucose (sugar) and lipid (fat) metabolism and can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure (BP), and heart disease.

This answer is based on source information from the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service.

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Acromegaly is the result of too much growth hormone in the body. In most cases, a benign tumor on the pituitary gland causes the body to produce extra growth hormone. However, sometimes, tumors in other parts of the body can secrete hormones that trigger an excessive release of growth hormone, too. Since growth hormone is responsible for organ, bone, and muscle development, overproduction leads to an abnormal growth of these tissues. In children, this causes gigantism because the bones are still capable of increasing in length, while this is no longer true in adults. In adults, acromegaly causes a deformity of the bones and an enlargement of tissue, such as the heart.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Acromegaly

Commonly referred to as gigantism in children, acromegaly is a rare disorder that causes the body to produce too much growth hormone. Six out of every 100,000 adults suffer from this disorder. Abnormal growth in the legs, chest, arms and head are symptoms of the acromegaly. Gradual changes may occur in the face and cause protrusion of the lower jaw and brows, widen the nose and cause spacing in the teeth. These changes are slow and may not be obvious until years later. In some cases, people with acromegaly were able to detect the disorder by comparing the changes to old photographs. Early diagnosis is imperative to treating acromegaly. Surgery of the pituitary gland and radiation options for treating the disorder. If you suspect you have symptoms of acromegaly, contact your family doctor for a medical evaluation.

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