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Growth Hormone Excess
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Growth Hormone Excess

Growth Hormone Excess
Elevated growth hormone induces high levels of IGF-1; prolactin is also often elevated.
The most common cause of growth hormone hypersecretion is an adenoma in the anterior pituitary; thus, treatment often requires tumor removal. In Childhood:
    • Excessive growth hormone exposure during childhood leads to Gigantism. In these patients, growth hormone hypersecretion occurs prior to fusion of the epiphyseal plates.
    • Thus, excessive growth hormone causes accelerated linear growth, and children are taller than their age/sex-matched peers; delayed puberty is also likely.
In Adulthood:
    • Growth hormone hypersecretion causes acromegaly. In these patients, hypersecretion begins after epiphyseal plate fusion.
    • Thus, linear growth isn't affected, but bone deformation, soft tissue swelling, and enlargement of facial features, hands, and feet are common.
    • Patients may experience a range of complications, including sleep apnea, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthropathy, carpal tunnel, headaches and visual disturbances due to tissue swelling and metabolic changes.
See the links in our notes for a more complete list of features and complications associated with acromegaly.
For full references, please see tutorial on Growth Hormone Physiology & Pathology

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