This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Investigations of acromegaly

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The investigations in acromegaly should include:

  • insulin-like growth factor 1 levels:
    • a better test than growth hormone levels because IGF-1 levels are less variable
    • also raised in pregnancy and puberty

  • failure of growth hormone to be suppressed by 75 g oral glucose - false positive tests occur in poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, Cushing's

  • MRI / CT scan may reveal pituitary adenoma

  • chest and abdominal radiology:
    • to detect an ectopic source of growth hormone
    • may detect cardiomegaly due to cardiomyopathy

  • hands radiology reveals:
    • tufting of terminal phalanges
    • increased joint spaces due to cartilage hypertrophy

  • assessment of pituitary function

  • calcium - hypercalciuria is common in acromegaly due to a direct renal tubular action of growth hormone; if there is moderate or severe hypercalcaemia then this is suggestive of hyperparathyroidism (MEN-I)

  • phosphate is often raised

Note that isolated GH measurement may show raised levels - however random levels are not diagnostic because levels vary with the time of day and other factors.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.