16 Known Symptoms of Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a health condition that affects approximately 6 in every 100, 000 people. The condition isn’t as rare as you would expect when seen at a glance, and it’s normally one that’s seen develop later on in life, although acromegaly can also be present at birth. 

The condition is caused by the overproduction of growth hormones, which is usually in turn caused by a benign tumor (called an adenoma) present on the pituitary gland or some other parts of the body. Some outward signs of the condition includes the enlargement of the jaw, hands and feet, and the condition also has other inward symptoms and signs that can include an enlarged heart and other organs.

If you have acromegaly, the condition has to be managed with the help of a doctor – and can sometimes even be stopped with the removal of the tumors. 

Here are 8 known symptoms of acromegaly that you should know about. 

1. Pain in the Bones

This can be a difficult symptom to describe for anyone who isn’t suffering from it, and it’s usually missed in this way when a doctor or carer has no idea what a patient is really describing – or they mistake it for something else. Pain felt in the bones can feel like the bones are cramping, and it can be likened to an icy feeling that’s distinctly “deeper” than a muscle cramp or pain.

This can be one of the symptoms that signal acromegaly to begin with, but it can also be a symptom that sticks around for years as the growth hormone physically affects the bones. This can become worse with time, and can become more painful as the condition progresses. 

The symptom can be symptomatically treated with the application of heat, cold and bracing to the bones in order to lessen the pain that’s experienced as a result of acromegaly.