How to Prevent Acromegaly Complications

By working in close partnership with your doctor, you can follow the best possible treatment plan with the goal of fewer symptoms and complications.

“With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and careful monitoring, most people with acromegaly can significantly reduce their risk of serious complications and live full, healthy lives,” says Jamie Mullally, MD, an associate professor of medicine at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York.

When acromegaly causes gradual tissue growth over time, these changes can cause health complications throughout your body.

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Arthritis and spinal fractures
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Colon polyps or colon cancer
• Vision changes
• Period changes and abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low libido
• Depression
• Fatigue

Treating acromegaly early can help prevent complications. “The most important step is early diagnosis and treatment to bring growth hormone levels back to normal,” says Dr. Mullally. “The longer the body is exposed to excess growth hormone, the greater the risk of complications.”

• Surgery to remove the pituitary tumor causing too much growth hormone release
• Medications like somatostatin analogs, dopamine agonists, and growth hormone–receptor antagonists, which lower growth hormone levels or stop them from causing enlarged tissues
• Radiation to destroy tumor cells left after surgery

Surgery is recommended first, says Dr. Balasubramanian. “If there is residual disease after surgery, it can be managed with a combination of radiation and medical therapy.”

If you have acromegaly, you will need lifelong follow-up, says Mullally. “This typically includes regular blood tests to measure hormone levels, periodic imaging with MRI to monitor the tumor, and screening for complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, colon polyps, and heart disease.”

• Blood pressure monitoring to check for high results (hypertension) and recommend medication if needed
• Blood glucose or A1C tests to measure blood sugar levels and screen for diabetes
• Growth hormone level test to ensure treatment is working as it should
• Echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound) to check your cardiac function
• Sleep study to address sleep apnea symptoms
• Colonoscopy to see and remove colon polyps before they can turn into cancer
• MRI of your pituitary gland to check for regrowth

You may also need visual field testing to make sure your vision hasn’t changed, says Balasubramanian.

Lifestyle changes can’t cure acromegaly, but certain strategies can lower your risk of complications, says Mullally. “Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and treating sleep apnea can all improve heart and metabolic health.”

Physical Activity

If you can, try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every week, and include two days of muscle-strengthening activity. After getting approval from your doctor, you can try joint-friendly options like:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Yoga
• Free weights
• Weight machines

Nutrition

For example, a healthy diet improves insulin resistance, says Balasubramanian, which lowers your risk of developing diabetes. And low salt intake can improve high blood pressure, she adds.

• Whole-grain foods like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and quinoa
• Healthy fats found in salmon and tuna
• Lean protein like chicken and turkey
• Low-starch vegetables like broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, and peppers
• High-fiber fruits like apples, berries, pears, and grapefruit
• Beans of any type (but with minimal added sugar and salt)

For heart health, it’s also important to limit or avoid processed foods, red meat, alcohol, and salty or sugary foods and drinks.

Relaxation and Mental Health

• Try mindfulness exercises like meditation, positive self-talk, and deep breathing.

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• Ask about cognitive behavioral therapy to retrain negative thought patterns.

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• Connect with other people who have acromegaly to share experiences and get support.

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Quality Sleep

• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on days off.
• Keep your sleep space dark, cool, and quiet.
• Develop a consistent bedtime routine.
• Avoid electronics for at least 30 minutes before bed.
• Stop drinking caffeine in the early afternoon and alcohol within a few hours of bed.
• Get out of bed if you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes of trying and do a quiet activity before you try again.

• Acromegaly can cause health complications like heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, but you can take steps to prevent them.
• Following your acromegaly treatment plan can help keep growth hormone levels low and lessen your risk of complications.
• You can also lower complication risk by getting exercise every day, eating a healthy diet, and getting good sleep.