Acromegaly usually occurs in middle aged adults, but it can happen at any stage. It progresses slowly meaning on average it takes 8 years for diagnosis and you may not notice the symptoms right away.
Acromegaly can cause signs and symptoms because of two things:
Both men and women are affected equally by acromegaly and both can experience a variety of symptoms.
The most common symptoms include enlargement of the hands, feet and face, but long-term implications if left untreated may include diabetes and heart failure.
If you are noticing symptoms which you feel could be signs of acromegaly, please explore our interactive symptom checker.
Many symptoms affect both genders, however some may present more infrequently than others, so may not impact your diagnosis.
Choose gender
Changes to vision
Sweaty / greasy skin
Diabetes
Menstrual irregularity/
Decrease libido
Changes to facial features
Thyroid disorders
Cardiac / heart
Colon
Hands/ Feet
Joint pain
Changes to vision
Sweaty / greasy skin
Diabetes
Decrease libido/ Impotence
Changes to facial features
Thyroid disorders
Cardiac / heart
Colon
Hands/ Feet
Joint pain
Caused by pressure on the optic nerve caused by the pituitary adenoma
Caused by over secretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands.
Excess growth hormone (GH) stimulates glucose and fat production, leading to hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
Increased growth hormone (GH) can lead to erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive
Changes to the face may cause the brow bone and lower jaw to protrude, and the nose and lips to get larger.
Increased production of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can cause disorders in thyroid function, and increase in their mass.
Acromegaly can lead to an enlarged heart (known as myocardial hypertrophy), changes in your heart structure and the way your heart pumps blood round your body, and/or high blood pressure.
Acromegaly increases the length and circumference of the colon, potentially facilitating the growth of pre-existing colonic tumours, or initiating their development
Increase in size of hands and feet
Overgrowth of bone and enlargement of cartilage in the joints may cause swelling and stiffness.
Caused by pessure on the optic nerve caused by the pituitary adenoma
Caused by over secretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands.
Excess growth hormone (GH) stimulates glucose and fat production, leading to hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
Menstrual irregularity and decreased sex drive.
Changes to the face may cause the brow bone and lower jaw to protrude, and the nose and lips to get larger.
Increased production of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can cause disorders in thyroid function, and increase in their mass.
Acromegaly can lead to an enlarged heart (known as myocardial hypertrophy), changes in your heart structure and the way your heart pumps blood round your body, and/or high blood pressure.
Acromegaly increases the length and circumference of the colon, potentially facilitating the growth of pre-existing colonic tumours, or initiating their development
Increase in size of hands and feet
Overgrowth of bone and enlargement of cartilage in the joints may cause swelling and stiffness.
The first step towards getting a formal diagnosis is an appointment with your GP where you can discuss your concerns and ask any questions you may have. We’ve created an information sheet that you can take to an appointment to support these conversations.
Getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional will be the first step in your acromegaly journey. It may be useful and interesting to understand more about what life with acromegaly looks like, and hear the experience of some already diagnosed patients.
