Acromegaly Flashcards
1
Q
What is acromegaly?
A
Excess secretion of growth hormone from a pituitary adenoma
2
Q
What are the clinical features of acromegaly?
A
Large hands and feet Coarse facial features Large tongue Excess sweating/oily skin Carpal tunnel syndrome
3
Q
What investigations are done in suspected acromegaly?
A
Random GH
Serum IGF-1
Oral glucose tolerance test + GH
4
Q
Why is oral glucose tolerance test and GH done?
A
Normally GH is inhibited by a rise in glucose
In acromegaly, there is a failure to suppress GH
5
Q
How is acromegaly managed?
A
1st line = trans-sphenoidal surgery
Medical
- somatostatin analogue
6
Q
How does a somatostatin analogue work in acromegaly?
A
Directly inhibits release of GH
7
Q
What are the complications of acromegaly?
A
DM
HTN
Cardiomyopathy
Colorectal cancer
