Human disease L15: endocrinology 4 – growth hormone and acromegaly

Question 1

Q1: what physiological effects does GH have?

Answer 1

Via liver release of IGF-1, causes skeletal and soft tissues to grow

Question 2

Q2: why might a dentist be the first clinician to suspect a patient has acromegaly?

Answer 2

Some of the signs and symptoms of acromegaly are or-facial

Question 3

Q3: growth hormone stimulates body growth by causing the liver to release what?

Answer 3

Insulin-like growth factor 1

Question 4

Q4: IGF-1 increases the synthesis of what?

Answer 4

Increases collagen and protein synthesis and other growth promoting actions

Question 5

Q5: growth hormone release is intermittent, mainly released at night, especially during which cycle of sleep?

Answer 5

Rem sleep

Question 6

Q6: which hormone is released by the hypothalamus that acts on the anterior pituitary to release growth hormone?

Answer 6

The hypothalamus releases growth hormone releasing hormone.

Question 7

Q7: excess growth hormone in children causes what?

Answer 7

Gigantism

Question 8

Q8: excess growth hormone in adults causes what?

Answer 8

Acromegaly

Question 9

Q9: majority of cases of gigantism and acromegaly are due to what?

Answer 9

Due to a pituitary adenoma secreting growth hormone.

Question 10

Q10: what other problems are experienced with acromegaly? s.

Answer 10

1. Joint problems
2. Arthritis
3. Hypertension
4. Glucose intolerance or diabete

Question 11

Q11: what are the diagnostic measures for detecting acromegaly?

Answer 11

Diagnosis made on measurement of plasma GH and IGF-1, often with brain imaging to look for pituitary adenoma.

Question 12

Q12: what are the three facial features in acromegaly?

Answer 12

1. Interdental separation
2. Macroglossia
3. Prognathism

Question 13

Q13: if you suspect a patient has acromegaly, you must refer to GP, what must you provide to the GP?

Answer 13

SBAR handover.