What does hypersecretion of growth hormone lead to in adulthood?

Hypersecretion of growth hormone in adulthood leads to acromegaly, a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of bones and tissues, particularly in the hands, feet, and face. This occurs after the growth plates have closed, so rather than increasing height (as in childhood giantism, which occurs before the plates close), the focus in adulthood is on the thickening of the bones and an increase in soft tissue. The excessive levels of growth hormone stimulate the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which promotes cell growth and division. As a result, individuals with acromegaly may experience enlarged facial features, enlarged extremities, and a variety of health complications related to the abnormal tissue growth.

In contrast, dwarfism refers to a condition resulted from insufficient growth hormone during childhood, while short stature and giantism pertain to growth hormone deficiencies or excess occurring before skeletal maturity. Therefore, acromegaly is the definitive outcome of growth hormone hypersecretion in adults.