Acromegaly FAQs (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- What is acromegaly?
- What is a hormone?
- What causes acromegaly?
- What is the pituitary gland?
- How does a tumor in the pituitary gland cause abnormal growth elsewhere?
- How common is acromegaly?
- How do I know if I have acromegaly?
- What are other symptoms of acromegaly?
- Why does acromegaly cause vision loss and headache?
- What is gigantism?
- What are the complications of acromegaly?
- Is acromegaly a fatal disease?
- How is acromegaly diagnosed?
- What treatments are available for acromegaly?
- Other questions about acromegaly
- Where Can I Go For More Information?
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
What causes acromegaly?
Acromegaly occurs when the body produces too much of any of the hormones that control growth. These include growth hormone (GH), growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Overproduction of these hormones is caused by certain types of tumors. In over 95% of cases, the tumor is an adenoma of the pituitary gland.
Next: What is the pituitary gland? »
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Acromegaly »
Increased and unregulated growth hormone (GH) production, usually caused by a GH-secreting pituitary tumor (somatotroph tumor), characterizes acromegaly.
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