People with Acromegaly will find that their shoe size increases over time throughout adulthood and their rings no longer fit like they used to. In some cases, your doctor may have you take medicine before the surgery to shrink the tumor.After the surgery, your doctor will measure your hormones and will do imaging of the area where the tumor was removed. The development of symptoms in acromegaly varies from patient to patient. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. If you think it would be helpful to talk with a counselor, your doctor can give you a referral.Let your family and friends know what they can do to support you. As the face changes shape, the jaw may protrude, the nose may enlarge, and the lips may thicken.Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. Children with the condition can grow to abnormal heights. It causes abnormal growth that usually starts in your hands and feet. GH stimulates growth and development in children. To get to it, they'll make a small cut in your nose or the inside of your upper lip. You may want to start by asking your doctor:Your doctor will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan, taking into account your age, health, and how far along your condition is.Surgery is often the first treatment for people with large tumors affecting important areas, especially if theyâre pressing on nerves that harm your vision. Sometimes, people notice the condition only by comparing old photographs with newer ones.Acromegaly may produce the following signs and symptoms, which can vary from one person to another:If you have signs and symptoms associated with acromegaly, contact your doctor for an evaluation.Acromegaly usually develops slowly. People with this disorder often notice that they aren't able to put on rings that used to fit and that their shoe size has progressively increased.Acromegaly may also cause gradual changes in the shape of your face, such as a protruding lower jaw and brow, an enlarged nose, thickened lips, and wider spacing between your teeth.Because acromegaly tends to progress slowly, early signs may not be obvious for years. Your doctor may recommend taking one of these medicines after surgery to help control or cure the disease and bring hormone levels back to normal:Those drugs either lower the level of growth hormone in your blood or block the effects it has on your body.Radiation helps if you have parts of a tumor left after surgery or if you need more help lowering growth hormone levels after taking medicine. Ask your doctor if there are local support groups, or consider joining an online support group. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Over time, the excess growth hormone (GH) leads to abnormally large hands and feet, and a wide range of other symptoms. Acromegaly is a disorder that happens when your body makes too much growth hormone (GH). Acromegaly is a disorder characterized by an enlarged face and hands. Left untreated, you can die from it.When you get diagnosed with a condition like acromegaly, it can help to connect with other people who have it. Acromegaly mostly affects the arms, legs, and face. The pituitary gland is in the skull, just below the brain. Acromegaly is a rare hormonal condition that results from an excess amount of growth hormone (GH) in the body. Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults.Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults, though it can develop at any age. Early symptoms include: swollen hands and feet – you may notice a change in your ring or shoe size. Types of radiation therapy include:Your experience with acromegaly will depend on how the condition has affected you. This tumor is called a pituitary adenoma. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). In most cases, it might be years before you notice symptoms.The most common cause is a noncancerous tumor in your pituitary gland. However there are many other distinctive symptoms of acromegaly in both children and adults, and over years it can have serious health consequences such as diabetes, high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease and colon polyps. In adults, GH affects energy levels, muscle strength, bone health, and one's sense of well-being.Most people who get acromegaly are middle-aged. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. They may also have an exaggerated bone structure. in women erectile dysfunction in men changes in thyroid hormone, which can affect weight, energy levels, hair, and skin decreases in cortisol, which can cause weight loss, dizziness, tiredness, low blood pressure, and nausea But available treatments can reduce your risk of complications and significantly improve characteristics of the condition, including the enlargement of your features.A common sign of acromegaly is enlarged hands and feet. "UpToDate: "Patient information: Acromegaly (Beyond the Basics). NIH external link Your teeth may begin to space out. In children who are still growing, too much growth hormone can cause a condition called gigantism. Untreated, acromegaly and its complications can lead to premature death.Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.