Acromegaly Flashcards
What is acromegaly?
Excess release of growth hormone after growth plates have fused
What is the most common causes of acromegaly?
Pituitary adenoma
What is used for diagnoses?
measuring GH after glucose or after measuring insulin like growth factor
What is done after diagnosis?
Imaging - MRI to determine the location of the adenoma
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ear
- Enlargement of the hear. kidneys and vocal cords
- Brow protrusion - frontal bossing
- Lower jaw protrusion
What are the complications of acromegaly?
- HTN
- Arthritis and carpal tunnel
- DM
- HF
- Kidney failure
- Liver fibrosis
- bitemporal hemianopia
- cancer
Why does acromegaly cause DM?
excess GH causes insulin resistance
What are the other causes of acromegaly?
- Tumors of the pancreas, lung and adrenal glands making GH or GHRH
What test is used to CONFIRM the diagnosis?
- GH supression test following glucose load - glucose decreases GH levels below 1 microgram per L. If someone has acromegaly it will not decrease
Is there a cure for acromegaly?
No
What is the goal for treatment?
- reduce GH production
- relieve pressure of toumor exetion
What is the MANAGEMENT of acromegaly ?
- Drug therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical removal
What drugs do you use in drug therapy? What are their names?
Somatistatin analogues
Octrotide, lanreotide
How do somastostatins work?
Stops the production of GH
What do you use if you are unresponsive to somastistatin?
- Dopamine agonists
