What condition is characterized by excess growth hormone after growth plates have closed?

Acromegaly is a condition resulting from excess growth hormone (GH) secretion, typically due to a pituitary adenoma. This overproduction occurs after the closure of growth plates, which generally concludes around the end of puberty. As a result, individuals with acromegaly do not experience linear growth as seen in gigantism, which occurs when excess GH happens while the growth plates are still open.

In acromegaly, the excess growth hormone leads to characteristic features such as enlarged hands and feet, facial changes (including a protruding jaw and enlarged nose), and other systemic effects, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and joint problems. The growth in these cases is due to tissue and bone enlargement rather than height increase, differentiating acromegaly from other growth-related conditions.

Gigantism, on the other hand, occurs before the growth plates close and leads to increased height. Dwarfism refers to a variety of conditions that result in short stature, often due to genetic factors or hormonal deficiencies. Hyperthyroidism involves excessive thyroid hormone levels, which does not have a direct relationship with growth hormone and does not cause the specific changes seen in acromegaly.