I was diagnosed in 2021. It all started when I was hospitalized for about 3 weeks due to high blood glucose – Hyperglycemia. During my stay in the hospital, my doctor found a small lump in my pituitary gland which he referred to as Adenoma. It was confirmed by an MRI after I was discharged from the hospital, and there I realized that it was a Pituitary Macroadenoma.
My doctors are also great in noticing physical changes in me. They asked for series of laboratory procedures and other diagnostic processes such as Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), Growth Hormones (GH), and other tests to confirm and determine if it were really Acromegaly. The results came out and confirmed my diagnosis of Acromegaly. It occurs as a result of the excessive hormones that were produced by the tumor in my pituitary gland.
November 2, 2021, one month after diagnosis, I underwent transsphenoidal (operating through the nose) excision of the tumor to remove the pituitary macroadenoma. Unfortunately, some part of the tumor was connected to my carotid artery which cannot be removed, or I would have internal bleeding. Tumor residues showed in my post-surgery MRI.
After a few months of rest, my neurosurgeon recommended that I undergo radiation therapy to suppress the remaining tumor in my pituitary gland. From February to April 2022, I was able to finish and complete my sessions of radiation therapy. A few months after radiation, I got the results of my procedures. All my levels were almost back to normal. My GH prior surgery was 46 ng/mL and post-radiation it only became 2 ng/mL. It was also the first time that my IGF-1 ranges from 333 ng/mL. I was so happy that my hormones were back to normal after all those procedures. But as an acromegaly patient, I know our hormone levels are just like a roller coaster.
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Source: Jeremie Soriano
To learn more about Jeremie and his journey with Acromegaly and life in the Philippines, go to support and him his Facebook group at (20+) Acromegaly – Philippines | Facebook