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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Hormonal Changes Cause Bones In The Face To Enlarge? Widened Jaw Bones

any conditions or hormones besides hgh and acromegaly that can cause the bones in the face (including cheekbones) to enlarge? I am 24 and my face continues to widen and cheek bones continue to grow. It has become abnormally large. My jawbones have widened in accordance. It is obvious something is amiss and that this is not due to natural bone growth. This all started with a facial bloating and puffiness episode a few years back. It was caused by some sort of fluid but even when it subsided, it seemed to have triggered the increased bone growth. I plan on seeing an endocrinologist , what kind of tests should i request?
Tue, 10 Sep 2013
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
An increase in size and broadening of facial bones is suggestive of acromegaly.
Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone.
Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland.
Any tumor or hyperplasia of pituitary can lead to excess secretion of growth hormone.
The diagnosis of acromegaly is made by combination of radiology and biochemical tests.
A CT scan and/or MRI of the cranial fossa needs to be done to look for any growth in the region of the pituitary gland.
Determination of growth hormone levels 2 hours of glucose tolerance test also needs to be monitored.
If confirmed, treatment modalities include surgery and/or drug therapy.
Drug therapy is aimed to antagonize the effect of excessive growth hormone.
Treatment will halt the overgrowth of the facial bones and soft tissues, however, the effects produced may not be reversible.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal






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Can Hormonal Changes Cause Bones In The Face To Enlarge? Widened Jaw Bones

Hello and welcome to HCM, An increase in size and broadening of facial bones is suggestive of acromegaly. Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone. Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. Any tumor or hyperplasia of pituitary can lead to excess secretion of growth hormone. The diagnosis of acromegaly is made by combination of radiology and biochemical tests. A CT scan and/or MRI of the cranial fossa needs to be done to look for any growth in the region of the pituitary gland. Determination of growth hormone levels 2 hours of glucose tolerance test also needs to be monitored. If confirmed, treatment modalities include surgery and/or drug therapy. Drug therapy is aimed to antagonize the effect of excessive growth hormone. Treatment will halt the overgrowth of the facial bones and soft tissues, however, the effects produced may not be reversible. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja P Wahal