Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
LABORATORY tests performed on Calvin Moyo, the 21-year-old giant from Esiphezini in Umzingwane District have confirmed that he has acromegaly — an excessive production of the growth hormone.
A well-wisher, Dr Cletos Masiya a medical practitioner at Charter House Medical Centre in Bulawayo offered to assist Calvin in determining his condition and seeking a possible solution to his predicament. Dr Masiya did the crucial tests in May whose results have just been released.
“We got our results from the laboratory and the outcome is in line with the clinical picture. Calvin indeed has acromegaly which is excessive production of the growth hormone. All this is caused by an enlargement of his part of the brain called the pituitary gland which has a benign non-cancerous tumour/growth called pituitary adenoma,” said Dr Masiya.
Persons with acromegaly usually have abnormally large hands and feet, large prominent facial features such as the nose and lips, and even an enlarged tongue.
The person may also have skin changes such as thick, coarse, oily skin, skin tags, sweating too much, and even the deepening of the voice as a result of enlarged sinuses and vocal cords. Dr Masiya said Calvin also had very high prolactin hormone levels. This is a hormone made by the pituitary gland and in men, high prolactin levels can cause impotence, reduced desire for sexual intercourse, and infertility.
“His testosterone is very low and suppressed due to this,” said Dr Masiya.
Low testosterone levels in men can lead to erectile dysfunction. Dr Masiya said he was grateful for the support that he received from other partners who assisted to get the essential tests done.
“I would like to thank UBC Laboratories represented by Mr Emmanuel the director, for agreeing to run these tests (hormone) for Calvin for no fees,” he said.
The initial tests were run by Dr Henry Dendedza from Interpath Laboratories who authorised his team to help with the running of the tests. They ran basic ones for his liver, kidney and blood count which were considered normal.
“That said, we shall require a brain MRI scan to check if the gland is large enough to benefit from surgery or we need medication only to correct the hormones or we shall require both surgery and medication. Whatever the case we need to start him on medication pending this important brain scan. We are, however, appealing for help to fundraise for the supply of medications to start the process of getting him into shape,” said Dr Masiya.
Dr Masiya carried out a full history and a full physical examination on Calvin to establish what stage clinically he was with his condition before they collected blood samples. He confirmed that Calvin does not have diabetes at this stage, nor does he have heart problems. Calvin has arthritis of the knees that is setting up and his gums are beginning to develop spaces between them which is a sign of rapid growth of the jaw. His eyesight is normal but has lower back pain because of his huge frame.
Those who wish to assist Calvin in securing medication can contact Sunday News on 0772755127 or his mother on 0782852897.
Calvin is not alone in this as in 2020, this publication carried a story of Charles “Big Charlie” Nyoni aged 57, of Lwendulu in Hwange who by that time weighed about 300kg and was just over 2,1 metres in height and wore a size 24 shoe. Big Charlie as he is affectionately known can hardly stand up or walk owing to his size.
When a Sunday News crew visited him in 2020, he was at pains to explain his predicament.
“It is a struggle for me to even walk as my body is in pain. The car that I have is broken down and I cannot use public transport as the drivers do not want me to use their cars because of my size. I eat at least six eggs, a loaf of bread, a pint of milk, and a big teapot of tea for breakfast. Then I will feel that I have eaten properly.
“Sadza, I can really eat, a full chicken by the side is ok too. If it’s a goat, the insides are for one day, I finish them all then the rest I finish in three days,” he said then.
He said he was lucky to have accommodation since he was retrenched in 2012 from Hwange Colliery Company where he worked as a builder and a refuse collector. -@NyembeziMu
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