Acromegaly Flashcards
How does acromegaly occur?
Due to excess growth hormone being produced.
Growth hormone is secreted from the posterior pituitary gland. True/false?
False, secreted from the anterior pituitary gland.
What hormones are secreted from the anterior pituitary gland?
FSH
LH
ACTH
TSH
Prolactin
Growth hormone
What hormones are secreted from the posterior pituitary gland?
ADH (vasopressin)
Oxytocin
What hormone is released in the hypothalamus in order to trigger GH release from the anterior pituitary?
GHrh (growth - hormone releasing hormone).
Most common site for tumour to affect in visual pathway for acromegaly?
Optic chiasm
What visual defect is present when there is compression at optic chiasm?
Bitemporal hemanopia
What symptoms can a space-occupying pituitary tumour cause?
Visual disturbance (bitemporal hemanopia)
Headache
What features can excessive growth hormone lead to?
Coarse, sweaty skin
Prominent forehead and brow (frontal bossing)
Large hands and feet
Large nose
Large tongue (macroglossia)
Large protruding jaw
What conditions can someone with acromegaly potentially develop?
Type 2 diabetes
Colorectal cancer
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hypertension
Hypertrophic heart
Initial investigation for acromegaly?
IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1).
Definitive investigation for acromegaly?
Oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose should suppress the growth hormone, if not, this points towards acromegaly.
