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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
One of the most common symptoms of acromegaly is enlarged hands and feet. You may notice that your rings no longer fit and that your shoe size or width has increased. Joint and back pain also are common.
Acromegaly may also cause gradual changes in the shape of your face, such as a protruding lower jaw and brow, an enlarged nose, thickened lips, and wider spacing between your teeth. Because acromegaly tends to progress slowly, symptoms may remain undetected for up to 10 years. People sometimes notice changes only by comparing their current appearance to old photographs.
Typical signs and symptoms of acromegaly include:
- Enlarged hands and feet
- Larger and broader facial features
- Protrusion of the lower jaw so the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth (underbite)
- Thickened, oily skin
- Excessive sweating and body odor
- Small skin outgrowths (skin tags)
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
- A deepened, husky voice due to enlarged vocal cords and sinuses
- Severe snoring and frequent brief interruptions in nighttime breathing (sleep apnea) due to tissue swelling that blocks your upper airway
- Impaired vision
- Headaches
- Enlarged tongue
- Back pain
- Pain and limited mobility in joints
- Menstrual cycle irregularities in women
- Reduced sex drive and, in men, trouble achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Enlarged liver, heart, kidneys, spleen and other organs
- Increased chest size (barrel chest)
When to see a doctor
If you notice any long-term changes in your appearance or other symptoms you think may be associated with acromegaly, contact your doctor.
Acromegaly usually develops slowly, and even your family members may not initially notice the gradual physical changes that have occurred. Timely diagnosis is important, though, so that you can receive proper care. Acromegaly can lead to serious complications if it's not treated.
- Melmed S, et al. Disorders of the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2876725. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Fitzgerald PM. Acromegaly and gigantism. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. 49th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14372&searchStr=acromegaly. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Melmed S. Diagnosis of acromegaly. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Melmed S. Treatment of acromegaly. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Chapman IM. Gigantism and acromegaly. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch151/ch151f.html#sec12-ch151-ch151f-128. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Acromegaly. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/acro/acro.htm. Accessed June 8, 2010.
- Vik-Mo EO, et al. Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for acromegaly. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2007;157:255.
- Cook DM, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acromegaly. Endocrine Practice. 2004;10:213.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. July 7, 2010.
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