Features that result from high level of GH or expanding tumor include:
- Soft tissue swelling visibly resulting in enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ears, and a general thickening of the skin. In particular the appearance of the hands can indicate to a knowledgeable person that a stranger may be developing acromegaly; there are documented instances of physicians warning strangers that they had acromegaly.
- Soft tissue swelling of internal organs, notably the heart with attendant weakening of its muscularity, and the kidneys, also the vocal cords resulting in a characteristic thick, deep voice and slowing of speech
- Generalized expansion of the skull at the fontanelle
- Pronounced brow protrusion, often with ocular distension
- Pronounced lower jaw protrusion with attendant macroglossia (enlargement of the tongue) and teeth gapping
- Hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, and hyperhidrosis may occur in these patients.
Further Reading
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"Acromegaly"
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