Acromegaly Support Group
Acromegaly (from Greek akros "high" and megas "large" - extremities enlargement) is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (hGH). Acromegaly most commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in serious illness and premature death. Join the group to discuss symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
Hello, I am a 34 year old male.
My symptoms are a bossing forehead, where it was enough to notice it was definitely not always that way. Brow ridge growth. Oily skin. Acne. And greater TMJ problems than previously experienced.
This is all the symptoms I'm experiencing at this time, which makes all this a bit confusing. Several of the other common symptoms I am not experience at this time, such as growing hands and feet, nose, lips, ears, chin. However the greater TMJ issues are causing more facial asymmetry. More like a tilt and shift of bones to one side but not necessarily "growth". There's zero growth on the left side of face and head but the shift and droping of bones on the right side of face and head. And I know TMJ can be a manifestation of this condition.
Is this "normal" to experience a couple of bone enlargements and/or reshaping but then at the same time not experience many of the others? I can imagine this condition not having all these changes necessarily at once. Maybe a growth here and a change there. Does it work that way some times?
I have an MRI scheduled for this Thursday, as I'm not going to wait around to find out of more things change and be proactive. Maybe catch it "early" for what it's worth.
So I'll find out soon but anticipating the diagnoses and decided to go ahead and join a couple of forums.
I've done tons of research already about surgery, mediciation and how life may be like going forward, trying to mentally get ahead of this thing so life can continue.
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I am in the same boat as you man. From what I researched, the main ways of diagnosing Acromegaly are an IGF-1 test and a Pituitary MRI. I had the IGF-1 test done and that came back normal - my GP said there was no reason for me to come back. But as i'm sure you probably know the symptoms can be off-putting even when there is no clinical evidence of something being wrong. I've been dealing with the exact symptoms you've mentioned plus a general feeling of unwellness/something being off. No hand or feet growth though. Hand and feet growth seem to be a predominant symptom in all Acromegaly cases so this makes me wonder if I am just suffering from body dysmorphia or actually dealing with a progressive disease. It's very mentally conflicting to be honest.
Nonetheless, keep us updated. Interested to see how things go.