Behind the Mystery: Acromegaly

In a patient with acromegaly, he or she has formed a tumor from hormone-producing cells, producing too much growth hormones and driving the liver to produce IGF1 — and together, growth hormone and IGF1 cause metabolic changes in the patients as well as enlargement of the hands, the feet, the skeletal system, cartilage, and all of the body organs.

If diagnosed and managed early, the long-term comorbidities and possible increased risk for premature death can be reduced; however, the symptoms and signs often escape detection because of the nature of the illness. We’ll hear from one patient who suffered for 12 years before being diagnosed and started Acromegaly Community to support other patients, as well as Dr. Blevins from UCSF who specializes in acromegaly.