Abstract

Objective: Acromegaly is frequently associated with the existence of thyroid gland diseases. Long-term stimulation of the follicular epithelium by growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can result in thyroid function problems, an increase in thyroid mass, and the development of goiter. A prospective study evaluating the thyroid size and morphology and correlating with the activity of acromegaly (include GH, IGF-1). The study was conducted in the National Diabetes Center / AL- Mustansiryah University from January 2022 – April 2023. Subjects and methods: Ultrasound measurements were done for thirty  acromegalic patients 18 male , 12 female , age range 24- 72 years ( mean age S.D 45.63 ±  11.96 )  whom had active disease( mainly newly diagnosed ) for different duration of disease  ( 1-30 years, S.D 45.63 ± 11.96 )  and under treatment with somatostatin analogues  ( Sandostatine LAR , 20 mg every 28  days ), these are  examined consecutively every  three time (every three month)for six months (baseline =initial diagnosis, after 3 month with  treatment and after 6 month with treatment)  by ultrasound for the assessment and verify for thyroid volume  and morphology,  and correlate  these variables with the marker of response to treatment by LAR  and at each session of exam, GH test  and IGF-1 serum level was measured at each visit and correlate with thyroid size. Results: Thyroid size was significantly related with GH, and disease duration after 6 months’ follow-up, the thyroid size decreased significantly (p<0.05). However, no significant changes were found in Thyroid size after 3 months. Significant difference was observed in Growth Factor Level (IGF-1) and Growth Hormone Level (GH) after 6 months follow up. Conclusions: We developed a study based on the findings of this investigation regarding the development of goiter in acromegaly. Initially, high IGF-I levels cause diffuse thyroid hypertrophy

Keywords

Insulin-like growth factor 1, Acromegaly, Thyroid disease, Goiter