What condition is characterized by excessive production of growth hormone?

The condition characterized by excessive production of growth hormone is acromegaly. This disorder typically occurs in adults after the closure of growth plates and results from the overproduction of growth hormone, most often due to a benign pituitary adenoma.

In acromegaly, individuals may experience enlarged hands and feet, facial changes such as coarsening of features, and other systemic effects like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and joint pain. The excess growth hormone leads to increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which mediates many of the somatic changes associated with the condition.

It's important to note that gigantism is a related condition but occurs in children before the closure of growth plates, resulting in proportional overgrowth. Dwarfism is characterized by insufficient growth hormone or other factors that inhibit growth, and Cushing's syndrome involves excess cortisol production and is not related to growth hormone levels.