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Making an Acromegaly Diagnosis
Before making a correct acromegaly diagnosis, a healthcare professional must:
- Recognize the symptoms of acromegaly
- Run certain tests and images
- Possibly consult a specialist in endocrinology (the study of hormones and their roles in the body)
Arriving at a correct acromegaly diagnosis as early as possible is important. The longer acromegaly goes untreated, the higher the risk of complications. The average case of acromegaly is diagnosed nine years into its course.
Who makes the acromegaly diagnosis?
Most cases (52%) of acromegaly are diagnosed by a general practitioner or family physician. Other types of healthcare professionals who may diagnose acromegaly are neurologist (15%), endocrinologists (13%), rheumatologists, cardiologists, lung/ear/nose/throat specialists, and ophthalmologists.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you think you have one or more symptoms of acromegaly.
Tests and images
Tests and images that will help a healthcare professional make an accurate diagnosis of acromegaly include:
- A blood test for the level of growth hormone
- A blood test for the level of insulin-like growth factor-1
- An X-ray of the spine to check for abnormal bone growth
- A cranial magnetic resonance image (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan to check for a pituitary tumor
- An echocardiogram to check for leaky mitral or aortic valves
