Audreia Dowell
American Intercontinental University
Unit 4 Individual Project
May 26, 2013

Gigantism is abnormally large growth during childhood caused by excess growth hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
Growth hormones regulate various body functions in adults by operating through feedback loops. Growth hormone in adults regulates lipids (fats), protein, and carbohydrate homeostasis. Molecules are released during this process that regulates the endocrine. The feedback loops help keep the hormone concentration normal. (Human Growth Foundation, 2013) Think of the function of the endocrine system as a thermostat regulating room temperature. In adulthood, the excess secretion of the growth hormone (GH) is known as acromegaly. This occurs when bones increase in size. Normal the bones are in the feet, hands, and face. It is caused by the overproduction of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland. A tumor most often is the cause of the overproduction of GH. There are two different tumors. One is a pituitary tumor and the other is a nonpituitary tumor. A pituitary tumor hides the excessive amounts of growth hormones, which produce signs of acromegaly. Nonpituitary tumors are found in other parts of the body. The tumors can produce growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH0), which forces more GH to be made by the pituitary. (Mayo Clinic, 2013)
The relationship between growth hormone and insulin in gigantism is associated with an abnormal high linear growth due to excessive action of insulin-like factor-I (IGF-I) during childhood when the growth plates are still open. Causes of excess IGF-I are as follows: (1) those starting from primary GH released by the pituitary (2) caused by increasing GH-releasing hormone or hypothalamic dysregulation (3) relation to the overproduction of IGF-binding protein, which extends the half-life of the circulating IGF-I. (Web MD, 2013) Some of the complications include hypertension, cardiomyopathy (heart enlargement), diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, and loss of vision. (Mayo Clinic, 2013)
Dwarfism is caused by an insufficient supply of hormones, which can be treated by giving the patient growth hormones. Gigantism is caused by an excessive amount of growth hormones that cannot be controlled. There are several forms of treatments. They include surgery, medication, and radiation. All of this is done to try to reduce the amount of growth hormone.
Several other hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland. Two of those are prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Prolactin is the hormone that promotes the production of breast milk and controls menstrual periods. The TSH notifies the thyroid gland that thyroid hormone needs to be produced. This hormone regulates the body’s metabolism.
Normal growth hormone is how the body maintains normal bone development from birth to adulthood. The GH regulates the ration of lean muscle mass to fat. GH usually peaks in puberty and declines after 30 years old. Anabolic steroids are synthetic forms of testosterone. They are known for their power to build muscle. (Epstein, 2013)

References:
Human Growth Foundation. (2013). Adult growth hormone deficiency. Retrieved from http://www.hgfound.org/res_aghd.explained.html
Mayo Clinic. (2013, Feb 05). Acromegaly. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acromegaly/DS00478/DSECTION=causes
Web MD. (2013). Gigantism and acromegaly. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/925446-overview
UCLA. (2013). Pituitary function and hormones. Retrieved from http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=432
Epstein, D. (2013). The abc's of hgh. Retrieved from http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1128077/index.htm