Gigantism

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Endocrine glands

Giantism

• Excessive growth during childhood.
• Frontal bossing and a prominent jaw
• Thickening of the facial features
• Disproportionately large hands and feet with thick fingers and toes
• Increased perspiration
• Weakness
• Secretion of breast milk
• Irregular menstruation
• Headache
• Delayed onset of puberty
• Double vision or difficulty with peripheral vision

• An increase in insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels
• A failure to suppress serum growth hormone (GH) levels after an oral glucose challenge (maximum 75g)
• A CT or MRI scan of the head showing pituitary tumor
• High prolactin levels

Other hormone levels may be low due to damage to the pituitary, including thyroid hormone, testosterone (boys), estradiol (girls), or cortisol.

Review Date: 08/11/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.