Acromegaly: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Acromegaly?
An endocrinologist, a hormone doctor, treats acromegaly. Doctors can remove most pituitary tumors with transsphenoidal surgery. This rare condition comes from too much growth hormone, usually from a non-cancer pituitary tumor. Blood tests confirm it, and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan shows the tumor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a rare condition in which the body makes too much growth hormone (GH). In adults, too much GH makes bones, cartilage, body organs, and other tissues grow larger. Common changes include a larger nose, ears, hands, and feet. It is most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults. About 3 to 14 of every 100,000 people have been diagnosed with it.
Symptoms
Symptoms come on slowly, so health problems can develop before the disorder is diagnosed. Changes in appearance can include:
- Larger, swollen hands and feet, with a change in ring or shoe size.
- Larger lips, nose, and tongue, with a jutting brow and lower jaw.
- Widely spaced teeth and thick, coarse, oily skin.
- More sweating, a deeper voice, and skin tags (small skin growths) that get larger.
Other common symptoms include headaches, joint aches, and vision problems. Carpal tunnel syndrome (nerve pressure at the wrist) and sleep apnea (breathing that stops and starts during sleep) can also happen.
Causes and who gets it
Acromegaly develops when the pituitary gland releases too much GH over a long time. The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain. It makes GH and other hormones. Usually, a non-cancer (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland releases too much GH. Doctors call this tumor a pituitary adenoma. In rare cases, a hormone-producing tumor elsewhere in the body is the cause. When GH enters the blood, this signals the liver to produce another hormone, called insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I is the hormone that actually causes bones and body tissue to grow. High IGF-1 also changes how the body handles blood sugar and fats. This can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A large tumor can press on the brain and cause headaches and vision problems.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use blood tests to look for too much GH. GH levels change through the day, so doctors measure IGF-1 to track GH. An oral glucose tolerance test (a sugary drink test) confirms the diagnosis. After drinking sugar water, GH levels should fall. In acromegaly, they do not fall enough. Then an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan finds and measures the tumor. If no pituitary tumor shows up, doctors look for a tumor elsewhere in the body.
Treatment
The goal is to lower GH and IGF-1 levels to normal. Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor that is causing this condition often corrects the abnormal GH level. The surgeon reaches the tumor through the nose and removes it with tiny tools. This is called transsphenoidal surgery. The cure rate right after surgery is about 85 percent for small tumors and 40 to 50 percent for large tumors. If hormone levels are still high, other options are medicines and radiation therapy. The medicines most often used are somatostatin analogs. These are usually given by injection. An octreotide capsule to take by mouth is also available. They curb GH release and may shrink the tumor. Their most common side effects are cramps, gas, and diarrhea, and some people develop gallstones. Two other medicine types are dopamine agonists, which are pills, and a growth hormone blocker that is a daily shot. Medicines control acromegaly but do not cure it. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells, but it can take a long time to bring GH levels down. After treatment, you will need regular checkups to make sure the pituitary gland works normally and acromegaly does not come back.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you notice signs like larger hands or feet, a changing face, more sweating, or headaches or vision problems that come on slowly. A large tumor pressing on the brain can cause them. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for a sudden change in vision or sudden, severe pain such as a sudden bad headache.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can watch for early signs like high blood pressure or diabetes and order the first blood tests. The doctor can refer you to an endocrinologist and help manage related problems.
Common questions
What causes acromegaly?
Usually a non-cancer tumor of the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, makes too much growth hormone. Doctors call this tumor a pituitary adenoma. Rarely, a hormone-producing tumor elsewhere in the body is the cause.
Can acromegaly be cured?
Surgery cures many people, especially those with small tumors. The cure rate right after surgery is about 85 percent for small tumors and 40 to 50 percent for large tumors. Medicines control the condition but do not cure it.
What health problems can acromegaly cause?
Untreated, acromegaly can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. It also raises the risk of colon polyps, which may develop into colon cancer if not removed. Untreated, it can cause early death.
Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Acromegaly
- MedlinePlus - Acromegaly
- MedlinePlus - Octreotide Drug Information
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
