To Your Good Health

Estrogen can treat Turner’s syndrome

Q: I had grown up before I found out I had Turner’s syndrome, the mosaic variety — which was explained as not severe. I was told I would never have children and I would have a short life. I am 85.

I have lived a pretty normal life, married and adopted children, but I really know nothing about Turner’s syndrome. What causes it? I was short until my late 20s, when I grew several inches. I’d appreciate information.

A: Turner’s syndrome is a problem with chromosomes, the 46 strands of genes we all have. Two chromosomes determine gender. A woman has XX gender chromosomes; a man, XY chromosomes.

In Turner’s syndrome, the female-appearing infant has only one X chromosome. That gives rise to many distinguishing traits: short stature, puffy hands, an arched palate, small chin, possible heart and kidney malformation.

Perhaps the major issue in Turner’s is a lack of functioning ovaries, so egg production and estrogen production are low to zero. As a result, breasts don’t develop, the woman is infertile, and menstrual periods are nonexistent. Not all of this is true in all Turner’s patients.

You have Turner’s mosaic, which means that some of your body’s cells have the XX chromosomes and some only the X chromosome. That’s why you have so few signs of the syndrome.

These days, girls with Turner’s syndrome are treated with estrogen so they have all the usual female characteristics, including breast development and menstrual periods. They’re also given growth hormone.

About one in 2,500 female babies has this syndrome or the mosaic variant. Do you know about the Turner Syndrome Society? The website is, and the toll-free number is 1-800-365-9944.

Q: When talking about gastroesophageal reflux disease, or heartburn, you mention putting 6-inch blocks under the posts at the head of the bed.

Why don’t you ever mention sleeping wedges? I have used them comfortably. Blocks make the bed look tacky.

A: I never mention them because I’ve never heard them mentioned at medical conferences. The idea is to keep stomach acid and digestive juices in the stomach by keeping the stomach lower than the upper part of the body.

I think your approach is great. You can get the devices at drugstores. They aren’t the pillow wedges that lift the head off the bed. Make that clear when you go to buy one. It’s a foam anti-reflux wedge that people with heartburn want.
