GIGANTISM AND ACROMEGALY
Clinical Manifestations The manifestations of excess growth hormone production are critically dependent on the age of the patient at the time that the abnormality first occurs. If growth hormone is present in excess before the epiphyses close, the increase in linear skeletal growth results in gigantism. After closure of the epiphyses, growth hormone excess results in acromegaly, a disorder characterized by phys’-: ical changes in the bones and soft tissues as well as metabolic abnormalities reflecting the physiologic actions of this polypeptide.
In addition to the physical changes that result from excess growth hormone secretion, a variety of metabolic abnormalities may also occur. Impaired glucose tolerance is present in more than half the cases, but frank diabetes mellitus is not evident unless pancreatic insulin secretion is incapable of responding to the counter-regulatory effect of growth hormone. An increase in glomerular filtration rate and in renal tubular reabsorp-tion of phosphate may also be observed, the latter causing the typical finding of hyperphosphatemia.
- HYPERPROLACTINEMIA: GALACTORRHEA-AMENORRHEA SYNDROME - Etiology
- GIGANTISM AND ACROMEGALY - Treatment
- HYPERPROLACTINEMIA: GALACTORRHEA-AMENORRHEA SYNDROME - Clinical Manifestations
- HYPERPROLACTINEMIA: GALACTORRHEA-AMENORRHEA SYNDROME - Diagnosis
- GIGANTISM AND ACROMEGALY - Diagnosis
- DISORDERS OF THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY
- PITUITARY NEOPLASMS: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
- GIGANTISM AND ACROMEGALY
- SYNDROMES OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY HYPERFUNCTION: THE PITUITARY ADENOMA
- HYPERPROLACTINEMIA: GALACTORRHEA-AMENORRHEA SYNDROME - Treatment