Categories: A

Acromegaly – Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Acromegaly is difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are not distinct and evolve over a very long period. Some subtle symptoms can be overlooked or misinterpreted. If brain-imaging tests do not detect any tumor, you undergo few more tests.

Share

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for Acromegaly

New York (USA), June 21, 2013

Acromegaly: Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Acromegaly is difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are not distinct and evolve over a very long period. Some subtle symptoms can be overlooked or misinterpreted. If acromegaly is suspected, you should initially undergo a thorough physical examination to detect enlargement of hands and feet, swelling of neck, and others.

Thereafter your doctor would dwell deep into your and your family’s medical history to detect genetic traits. Questions would be about your symptoms, medical past, your family member’s medical histories, your lifestyle, your work schedules, your medications, any serious ailments, and similar more.

Diagnostic Tests

These simple diagnostic tests confirm acromegaly:

IGF-1 Test: This is the most sensitive lab test for diagnosing acromegaly. Growth hormone produced by pituitary gland stimulates liver to secrete another growth hormone, IGF-1. This test detects IGF-1 levels in your blood. If IGF-1 levels are high, you have acromegaly. However, this test alone cannot confirm acromegaly as sometimes levels are high even in healthy people.

Glucose Tolerance Test: You drink a special high-sugar drink. High glucose levels in blood normally bring down growth hormone levels. However, if you have acromegaly, your growth hormone levels are already high. These levels will not drop even with high glucose levels in blood. This test involves taking readings before drinking high-sugar drink and at several time specifications after drinking it. Normally, GH levels two hours after drinking 75 to 100 gms of glucose should ideally be below 1 ug/L. If it is remarkably higher, you have acromegaly.

Imaging Tests: These tests are done after blood test confirms acromegaly. MRI or Magnetic resonance imaging of your brain can identify size and location of tumor. Sometimes a CT scan is also done.

If brain-imaging tests do not detect any tumor, you undergo few more tests. These include spine x-ray to detect any abnormal bone growth, echocardiogram to detect leaky mitral valve, enlargement of heart, or leaky aortic valve, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis to detect tumors of adrenal glands, pancreas, or ovaries, and CT scan of chest to detect lung cancer.

Acromegaly – Definition and Diagnosis
Definition and Diagnosis of Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Causes and Evaluation
Causes and Evaluation of Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Signs and Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Complications and Risk Factors
Complications and Risk Factors for Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Treatments and Medications
Treatments and Medications for Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Clinical Trials and Research Studies
Clinical Trials and Research Studies on Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies
Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Prevention and Coping
Prevention and Coping with Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help
Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help for Acromegaly

Acromegaly – Prevention, Treatment, and Remedies
Acromegaly – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, Treatment, and Remedies