DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had grown up before I found out what was wrong with me. They told me I had Turner’s syndrome, the mosaic variety, which was explained as not being severe. They told me I would never have children, and that 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 of Turner’s syndrome. What causes it? I was short until my late 20s, when I gained inches. I’d appreciate information. — Anon.

ANSWER: 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. The fact that you couldn’t have children is a definite sign of Turner’s, along with your relatively short stature.

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, the hormone that causes spurts of growth during early life and adolescence.

About one in 2,500 female babies has this syndrome or the mosaic variant. That’s a lot of people. Do you know about the Turner’s Syndrome Society? It’s a place that all Turner’s patients can turn to for information on the genetic problem and its treatment. In the U.S., the website is www.turnersyndrome.org, and the toll-free number is 800-365-9944. In Canada, the toll-free number is 800-465-6744.

TO READERS: All women fear cervical cancer. That topic is covered in the booklet with that name. To obtain a copy, write: Dr. Donohue — No. 1102, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: When talking about GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease — 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. And there’s a risk they might tip over. — J.H.

ANSWER: I never mention them because I never heard them mentioned at medical conferences on the topic of GERD. 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 these devices at Walmart and probably many other places. They’re all over. They’re not the pillow wedges that lift the head off the bed. Make that clear when you go to buy one. It’s a foam antireflux wedge that people with GERD want.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Who set the two-drinks-a-day standard for men? I drink four to five drinks, with half an ounce of booze per drink. Is this OK? — C.S.

ANSWER: I don’t know the names of the panel of experts who determined that 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of distilled liquor is one drink. It makes sense. Those volumes of alcohol contain the same alcohol content — 12 to 14 grams. Men can have two drinks a day; women, one.

The way you’re making your cocktails is perfectly acceptable. You are not exceeding the 3-ounce total of 80-proof alcohol allowed for men.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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