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Hyperpituitarism is the excessive production of growth hormone, which continues to be produced well into adulthood. In adults it is involved in regulatory functions in the body, but since the growth plates are closed, excessive levels cause abnormal growth of hands, feet, and internal organs. In children, excess growth hormone causes increased height known as Gigantism.
Similar conditions include hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Causes & Development
Since pituitary tumors (usually benign) are the most common cause of this condition, other areas controlled by the pituitary are often affected, such as Prolactin and thyroid hormones. Another cause is carcinoid tumors.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of excess growth hormone include:- Headache
- Visual field loss or Double Vision
- Excessive sweating
- Hoarseness
- Milk secretion from breast
- Sleep Apnea
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Joint pain and limitation of motion
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or tingling of skin
Diagnosis & Tests
Diagnosis is made through examination (large, "doughy" hands; large feet; large face; enlarged jaw; tongue problems; big forehead; darkened skin in armpits; widely spaced teeth; oily, tough skin; skin pigmentation changes - darker or lighter; excessive hair growth in females; high blood pressure; goiter (enlarged thyroid); kyphosis or loss of disc spaces of the spine; osteoporosis; osteoarthritis), through laboratory findings (growth hormone level is high, even when patient receives glucose load; diabetes occurs in 30% of cases; elevated IGF-1; elevated prolactin level; elevated liver function; elevated blood urea nitrogen; elevated phosphorus; decreased free thyroxine; elevated thyroid stimulating hormone) and through imaging (MRI shows pituitary tumor).
Treatment & Prevention
Treatment can consist of pituitary microsurgery to remove tumor; pituitary radiation if surgery fails; gamma knife radiation treatment (a special type of focused radiation); bromocriptine (helps decrease growth hormone in some patients); octreotide (partially shrinks pituitary tumors).
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GLOSSARY
Apnea
Cessation of breathing.
Benign
Literally: innocent; not malignant. Often used to refer to cells that are not cancerous; they tend to grow slowly and don't spread (metastasize) like cancer tumors do.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A common, painful defect of the wrist and hand. It is caused by pressure on the middle nerve in the carpal tunnel. The syndrome is seen more often in women, especially in pregnant and in menopausal women. Symptoms may result from a blow, swelling, a tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, or a small carpal tunnel that squeezes the nerve. Pain may be infrequent or constant and is often most intense at night.
Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Glucose
A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.
Goiter (Goitre)
A chronic enlargement of the thyroid gland (visible between the Adam's apple and the collarbone at the front of the neck) produced by the body in an attempt to increase hormone production from limited amount of iodine. It is not due to cancerous growth.
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Hypothyroidism (Hypothyroid)
Diminished production of thyroid hormone, leading to low metabolic rate, tendency to gain weight, and sleepiness.
IGF-1
Insulin-like growth factor.
Kyphosis
Spinal deformity characterized by extensive flexion.
Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A technique used in diagnosis that combines radio waves and magnetic forces to produce detailed images of the internal structures of the body.
Osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritic)
A condition involving degeneration of cartilage and supporting joint tissue, which results in pain, swelling and reduced mobility, as the cartilage wears away and allows bone to rub against bone.
Osteoporosis
A disease in which bone tissue becomes porous and brittle. The disease primarily affects postmenopausal women.
Phosphorus
The second most abundant mineral in the body, found in every living cell. It is involved in the proper functioning of both muscles and nerves. It is needed for metabolic processes of all cells, to activate many other nutrients, and to form energy-storage and energy-releasing compounds. The phosphorus content of the body is approximately 1% of total body weight. Phosphorus combines with fats to form phospholipids. Combined with calcium, it gives strength and rigidity to the bones and teeth.
Pituitary (Pituitary Gland)
The pituitary gland is a small (half-inch), bean-shaped organ that hangs down from the lower center of the brain on a stalk attached to another gland, the hypothalamus. Weighing less than one gram, the pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" since it controls the secretion of hormones by other endocrine glands. It regulates many body activities, and is partitioned into front and back lobes. The front lobe is stimulated by the hypothalamus, and produces any one of six different hormones that in turn stimulate the thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands, and also breast milk production.
Prolactin
An anterior pituitary peptide hormone that initiates and maintains lactation.
Thyroid (Thyroid Gland)
The thyroid gland is an organ with many veins, anchored around the front of the throat near the voice box. It is essential to normal body growth in infancy and childhood. It absorbs iodine from the diet and releases thyroid hormones - iodine-containing compounds that help govern the rate of the body's metabolism (its total life processes), affecting body temperature, and regulating protein, fat and carbohydrate catabolism in all cells. They keep up growth hormone release, skeletal maturation, and heart rate, force, and output. They promote central nervous system growth, stimulate the making of many enzymes, and are necessary for muscle tone and vigor. To a high degree, metabolism is regulated by the hormone thyroxine, which can be made by the thyroid if enough organic iodine is available. An enlarged thyroid gland that is not cancer is sometimes called goitre.
Last updated: Aug 02, 2008
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