Acromegaly and pituitary gigantism
This condition occurs when a small gland in your brain produces too much growth hormone, causing bones and body tissues to grow too large.
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Deep inside your brain, there is a tiny, pea-sized organ called the pituitary gland. Its job is to act like a master switch, releasing various hormones into your body. Sometimes, a non-cancerous growth called an adenoma forms on this gland and forces it to pump out far too much growth hormone.
If this happens while you are still a child and your growth plates—the soft areas at the ends of your bones—are still open, you grow abnormally tall, which is called pituitary gigantism. If it happens after you have stopped growing, your bones cannot get longer, so they get wider and thicker instead; this is called acromegaly.
Common Symptoms
- Hands and feet that gradually increase in size, requiring larger gloves or shoe sizes.
- Noticeable changes in facial features, such as a protruding jaw or a broader nose.
- A deepening or husky voice due to larger vocal cords.
- Skin that becomes thicker, oilier, or develops skin tags.
- Joint pain or stiffness.
- Fatigue and muscle weakness.
- Snoring or sleep apnea, which is a condition where breathing stops briefly during sleep.