Evaluated for Acromegaly

The other day, blood samples were drawn to determine if I have acromegaly. What led my doctors to want to check me for that? What tests did they give me? In fact, what is acromegaly and what are its symptoms? Could you have it?

What Led to Testing for Acromegaly?

While taking a bath, I noticed my left knee, which was a bit sore, was swollen, whereas my right knee was not. It did not go away. Eventually I went to the doctor. He thought it might be gout (later, this was proved false). During my visit, I mentioned having a decreased libido, which I supposed would be quickly dismissed as aging. I was wrong. The doctor set up some blood tests for pituitary function, and set me up for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The test proved I had a pituitary tumor. The symptom I had described to the doctor seemed to point to prolactinoma - a non-malignant tumorous growth in a particular portion of the pituitary responsible for producing prolactin. Since the tumor began threatening my eyesight, surgery was scheduled, with part of the pituitary gland being removed.

After the procedure, some further testing, and borderline results before surgery suggested I might not have had a simple prolactinoma, but a "mixed tumor." The pituitary gland is pivotal to a number of glandular systems, and it was noted I had an excess of growth hormone, though not a large excess.

Excess growth hormone in a young person can lead to exceptional height. The "world's tallest man," Robert Wadlow, had an overactive pituitary gland. You can see all 8'11" of him in this Wikimedia Image of him standing next to his father.

Since I am not a young person, excess growth hormone would affect me differently if allowed to work unimpeded. Gradually, my hands, feet, nose, lips, and ears would increase in size, while my lower jaw and brow would protrude. More seriously, my internal organs such as my heart would become enlarged and threaten to shorten my life span.

Tests

The nurse drew my blood to test for specific hormones but more definitive tests were needed in my case. I was given a glucose-tolerance test, in which I drank a lemon-lime flavored solution of 100 grams of dextrose (sugar). Then at regular intervals, blood was taken. Under these circumstances, normal growth hormone is suppressed. Any abnormally produced growth hormone would remain to be detected.

If I do have acromegaly, or if other testing proves I have not had sufficient pituitary gland removal, radiation treatment by the "Gamma Knife" is one option of further treatment.

Famous Acromegalics

Some famous individuals who were diagnosed with acromegaly include, Andre the Giant, Richard Kiel, and Lock Martin (who played the robot Gort in "The Day the Earth Stood Still"). One Hollywood actor who developed acromegaly as an adult was Rondo Hatton. Hatton, best known for playing horrific roles, exemplified in the Sherlock Holmes classic movie "The Pearl of Death," now has a classic horror movie award named for him.

For additional information:

Acromegaly.org - "What is Acromegaly?"

Stanford Hospital and Clinics - "Diagnosis and Treatment of Acromegaly"

The Pituitary Society - "Acromegaly"