Question

Gigantism and acromegaly are due to
a. Hyposecretion of Thyroxine
b. Hyposecretion of Growth hormone
c. Hypersecretion of Thyroxine
d. Hypersecretion of Growth hormone

Answer 1

Growth hormone is the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which is under the control of the hypothalamus, and it is also called as somatotropin which is useful for the growth of the person, and for the cell reproduction and maturation.

Complete answer:
Excessive secretion of growth hormone results in two conditions, based on the age of the person.
Excessive secretion of growth hormone in the children, which are of growing produce a condition called gigantism, and the excessive secretion of growth hormone in the adults after the close of growth plates results in acromegaly.

Gigantism: There are so many reasons for the excessive secretions and most common reason is any adenoma of the pituitary, commonly growth producing age is 13 years, and it is different in males and female, where the grow in abnormal height, and in some pediatric patients there are some complications such as hypertension may present.

Acromegaly: Acromegaly is the condition where the pituitary gland secretes the more growth hormones after the closing of growth plates or in the adults, mostly these hyper secretions are due to adenoma of the pituitary gland.

- Due to this excessive secretion of growth hormone, there are some initial symptoms that include the enlargement of hands and feet and at the same time, there is an enlargement of the forehead, jaws, and nose.
- If the secretions become more, then the severity of symptoms increases.
- The person may have a more severe and profound headache.
- There is an expansion of the skull at the fontanelle and there may be a brow bone protrusion, which causes the ocular distension.
- At the same time there is more protrusion of the lower jaw, which is called prognathic jaw and it in turn results in macroglossia and increases the spaces in the lower teeth.
- Other complications include hypertrichosis, and hyperpigmentation, and Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: The main goal of the treatment is to reverse the secretion of growth hormone and to stop the pressure creating by increasing in size of the pituitary gland, and the main treatment option is surgery, where there is the surgical removal of tumor is done and drug therapy and radiation therapy is also given.