Health condition
Acromegaly deep dive
Acromegaly is growth hormone excess in adulthood, almost always from a benign pituitary adenoma, causing slow changes in the hands, feet and face that typically take years to be recognised.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Clues: rings and shoes no longer fitting, coarsening facial features, sweating, snoring and joint pain
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Screening test: a raised IGF-1 blood level; confirmed by an oral glucose tolerance test showing growth hormone fails to suppress
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Pituitary MRI locates the adenoma once the biochemistry is confirmed
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Specialist: a consultant endocrinologist working within a pituitary multidisciplinary team (MDT)
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Untreated, it raises the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and bowel polyps
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Because adult bones cannot lengthen, excess growth hormone thickens tissue instead: hands and feet broaden, facial features coarsen, the tongue enlarges and skin becomes oily and sweaty. Old photographs comparing your face over the years are genuinely useful diagnostically. The changes are so gradual that diagnosis is delayed by many years on average, while the hormone quietly drives blood pressure, glucose, sleep apnoea and heart strain.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
IGF-1 is the screening blood test; the diagnosis is confirmed when growth hormone fails to suppress during a glucose tolerance test, followed by pituitary MRI. Treatment decisions are made by a pituitary MDT, with transsphenoidal surgery first line for most. Most people start with their GP; routine NHS endocrinology referrals commonly take 20-45+ weeks in parts of the UK, whereas a private endocrinologist appointment is typically available within about two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant endocrinologist within a pituitary MDT. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Acromegaly deep dive.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a condition caused by excess growth hormone in adulthood, usually from a benign pituitary tumour, leading to gradual enlargement of the hands, feet, and facial features along with various internal complications.
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What causes acromegaly?
The vast majority of cases are caused by a benign tumour of the pituitary gland that produces too much growth hormone; very rarely, tumours elsewhere in the body can trigger excess growth hormone or related hormone production.
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What are the symptoms of acromegaly?
Symptoms develop gradually and include enlarged hands and feet, coarsening facial features, joint pain, excessive sweating, headaches, and complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea.
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Is acromegaly dangerous?
Yes, if untreated it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, joint damage, and certain cancers, and can reduce life expectancy, which is why timely diagnosis and treatment are important.
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Is acromegaly genetic?
Most cases are not inherited, arising from a sporadic pituitary tumour, though a small proportion occur as part of genetic syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia, which can run in families.
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Can acromegaly be cured?
Surgical removal of the pituitary tumour can cure many cases, particularly smaller tumours; when surgery alone isn't fully successful, medication or radiotherapy can effectively control hormone levels long-term.
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How is acromegaly treated?
Treatment usually starts with surgery to remove the pituitary tumour, followed by medication to control any remaining excess hormone, with radiotherapy reserved for cases not fully controlled by surgery and medication.
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How long does treatment and recovery take?
Recovery from pituitary surgery typically takes a few weeks, while hormone levels and symptom improvement from medication can take several months to optimise, with lifelong monitoring generally required.
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Acromegaly vs gigantism — what's the difference?
Gigantism refers to excess growth hormone occurring before growth plates close in childhood, causing excessive height, while acromegaly occurs in adulthood after growth plates have fused, causing thickening and enlargement of bones and tissues rather than increased height.
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When should I see a doctor about possible acromegaly, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a doctor if you notice gradual changes in hand, foot, or facial size, especially with headaches or vision changes. NHS endocrinology referral can take 20 to 45 or more weeks, while private specialist assessment is often available within about two weeks.