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Team Up With Your Doctor

How to discuss treatment decisions and lifestyle changes with your doctor

Understanding acromegaly, its symptoms, and potential treatments is important. The more questions you ask your doctor, the better off you’ll be at managing your disorder and making progress.

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Checklist

Ask your doctor about the following topics during your visit

  • Surgery or treatment options
  • Any changes to treatment dosage
  • Ongoing laboratory tests
  • Importance of GH (growth hormone) and IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor I) levels
  • Potential changes to lifestyle

Webinar: Managing Symptoms and the Importance of Speaking with Your Doctor

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Test and Checks: What to expect

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  • Blood tests, including:
    • - IGF-I check
    • - Glucose check
    • - Fertility and/or thyroid hormone check
    • - Cortisol check
  • Eye tests
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Sleep questionnaire and study
  • Echocardiogram (echo) and electrocardiogram (ECG) checks for heart health
  • Colonoscopy, as needed
  • MRI/CT scans, as needed
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If you are taking an acromegaly treatment, your doctor can help you determine if you will continue to be monitored through lab tests and other health checks. These can help you to better manage symptoms, and ensure that your treatment is working properly.

Blood tests for IGF-I levels will likely occur during diagnosis and throughout treatment and are an important way to keep track of acromegaly and the effectiveness of treatment.

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acromegaly guide

For more details on tests and checks, read
Acromegaly and health: A guide for people with acromegaly

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Making decisions about your acromegaly treatment

If you are currently taking an acromegaly medication, it is crucial to never discontinue or make dosage changes before talking to your doctor and deciding on a plan together, whether treatment is working or not. Symptoms may worsen and become more severe over time if you stop taking treatment for acromegaly.

When and Why to Talk to Your Doctor:s

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR WHEN YOU ARE: WHY?
Improving while taking treatment (that is, IGF-I levels are normal or symptoms are controlled) Your doctor may change how often you are monitored or tested.
Still experiencing symptoms while on treatment Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage amount or change treatments.
Experiencing side effects due to treatment Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage amount or change treatments.
Considering discontinuing treatment Whether you’re improving or doing worse on treatment, it’s crucial to speak to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment regimen.
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