Gigantism (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==


*[[CT]] or [[MRI]] scan of the head showing pituitary tumor
*Failure to suppress serum [[growth hormone]] (GH) levels after an oral glucose challenge (maximum 75g)
*High [[prolactin]] levels
*Increased [[insulin growth factor-I]] (IGF-I) levels
Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:
*[[Cortisol]]
*[[Estradiol]](girls)
*[[Testosterone]] (boys)
*[[Thyroid hormone]]


==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==

Revision as of 15:06, 19 September 2012

Gigantism

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Gigantism On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Gigantism

Videos on Gigantism

FDA on Gigantism

CDC on Gigantism

Gigantism in the news

Blogs on Gigantism

Directions to Hospitals Treating Gigantism

Risk calculators and risk factors for Gigantism

For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click here

Overview

Gigantism is abnormally large growth due to an excess of growth hormone during childhood, before the bone growth plates have closed.

What are the symptoms of Gigantism?

The child will grow in height, as well as in the muscles and organs. This excessive growth makes the child extremely large for his or her age.

Other symptoms include:

What causes Gigantism?

The most common cause of too much growth hormone release is a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the pituitary gland. Other causes include:

If excess growth hormone occurs after normal bone growth has stopped, the condition is known as acromegaly.

Gigantism is very rare.

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

Damage to the pituitary may lead to low levels of other hormones, including:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Gigantism?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Sources