Ray Kohn, a former stunt driver and mechanic, knew something was wrong with his body for nearly a decade. He had pain in his knees and elbows, and his body was changing in unusual ways – his head grew, hands became larger, voice changed, and teeth shifted in his mouth.
The 47-year-old finally found answers when he visited Dr. Divya Yogi-Morren, an endocrinologist with Cleveland Clinic, who diagnosed him with acromegaly, a rare hormonal condition caused by too much human growth hormone. The disease is often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland.
Kohn had undergone multiple surgeries and cortisone shots, but nothing worked to alleviate his symptoms. It wasn’t until he visited Yogi-Morren that she recognized the symptoms of acromegaly in him. She sent him to see Dr. Varun R. Kshettry, a neuroendocrinologist, for further evaluation.
The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging tests and blood work, revealing a nine-millimeter mass on Kohn’s pituitary gland. Surgery was the only treatment option, which involved removing the tumor and stopping the excess human growth hormone production.
Kohn underwent the 8-hour operation in June 2023 and has since lost over 100 pounds. He has improved his quality of life immensely and has been able to participate in multiple stunt jumps that were previously impossible for him due to untreated acromegaly.
“I felt reborn,” Kohn said after being diagnosed with acromegaly. “You know, I had something taken away from me that I live to do, that I love to do.”
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/acromegaly-health-story-ray-kohn