You’re tall.

In the vast majority of cases, people who are tall can credit their parents and their grandparents for their stature.

In very rare cases, being tall can be a component of a medical condition. There are a few genetic and hormonal disorders that can result in unusual height.

Just because you are tall, does not make you more likely to have one of these disorders but in rare instances it can.

There are a few genetic disorders such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, XYY syndrome, Sotos syndrome and Marfan’s syndrome that include tall height amongst their characteristics. In addition, there are hormonal disorders that can result in someone being tall in stature; these include gigantism and acromegaly.

Being tall doesn’t place you at a higher risk for these conditions. Because these conditions also occur with other symptoms and conditions, a physician may rule these conditions out in a person who experiences unusual or unexpected growth.

Marfan’s Syndrome may be one of the most well known conditions that include height as a characteristic. In addition, people with Marfan’s syndrome often have the following:

• Loose and very flexible joints
• Crowded teeth and a high arched palate
• A breastbone that either protrudes outward or inward
• Unusually long arms; arm span that is longer than height
• A long face
• Flat feet

While these individual external characteristics aren’t cause for concern, people who have Marfan’s Syndrome may also have the following internal conditions:

• Abnormalities of the heart and arteries such as weakness of the walls of the aorta (the main artery that runs from your heart down through your abdomen... a rupture of the aorta can be life threatening.)
• Vision problems such as lens dislocation, detached retina, and glaucoma
• Skeletal problems such as scoliosis or curvature of the spine and foot pain

Doctors, especially those who specialize in pediatrics and orthopedics, are trained to identify symptoms and characteristics that, combined with tallness, may indicate the presence of a medical condition. If a physician suspects that Marfan’s Syndrome might be a possibility, they may order various tests. These tests may include an eye exam, X-Rays and heart studies such as an electrocardiogram and or an echocardiogram. A detailed family history may also be taken.

Although Marfan’s Syndrome can’t be cured, an accurate diagnosis may help improve the quality and length of life for those who do have this condition. Ongoing tests and medical management help to identify and treat conditions of this syndrome. For example, if a cardiac condition is detected, a physician may recommend that strenuous activities such as weight training and high impact sports be avoided.

Only a minority of people who are tall have a medical condition that contributes to their tall stature. In those rare cases, an accurate diagnosis and ongoing medical management can add to their quality of life.

This article is not meant to provide medical advice; only a physician can diagnose and treat the conditions mentioned in this article.

Return to Tall Women's Lifestyle from Marfan Sundrome
Return to Tall Women Revolt Homepage from Marfan Syndrome
Try To Many Tall Links To Tell The World