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What is XYY? Meet Steve and Find Out

AXYS shares articles about our community members to help you gain understanding of X and Y chromosome variations on a personal level. Please enjoy this article and learn about XYY. Note: The name “Steve” is a pseudonym used upon request.

You’d notice Steve. A stocky guy, 6’6’’ tall, is hard to miss. But like most men with an X or Y variation, medically known as a sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA), everyone missed his condition. 

As a child, Steve liked to sit quietly in the back of the class and daydream. He was a smart kid from an academically accomplished family. His teachers and family thought he was just not applying himself. “It was tough to hear the comments from ‘why are you acting so immature?’ to ‘what’s wrong with you?’ over and over.” 

He knew he was different and that school was harder for him, but nobody could explain why. In middle school his family finally got him tested. The child development experts diagnosed him with ADD and dyslexia and put him on medication. Steve did not react well to the meds; they gave him night terrors. 

Not only was school difficult, he had physical differences too. “I had low muscle tone,” said Steve. “That made sports challenging. I’d rather do individual activities like hiking.”  His parents required him to play sports. That was not enjoyable for a boy who had a harder time keeping up physically, found it hard to focus, and who missed social cues. Steve was not timid physically—he loved extreme sports like glade skiing. He also loved solitude and quiet. “I’d go hide in a corner and read a magazine.”

In spite of his challenges, Steve made it to college where he was an average student.  His love of learning served him well. “I like to go to museums, travel to places and explore. Reading about places is not enough.”

Despite social challenges, he married a college professor. When they had trouble getting pregnant they discovered he was not fertile because he produced no sperm. A low sperm count is not that unusual but to produce zero sperm was puzzling. 

Steve wanted to know: why he did not produce any sperm? Why did he get migraines? Why was his muscle tone low? Why did his hands get shaky? Why was he so much taller than his 5’ 9” father? But then came the Internet. Steve began to research his medical issues.

He came across something called Klinefelter Syndrome and took his knowledge to his primary care doctor. The doctor agreed to order some tests, but Steve, tired of waiting for answers, checked off a few more boxes on the lab sheet making sure a battery of tests was ordered, increasing the likelihood that he’d finally get the answer he sought. It was good thing he did, as he discovered his hormone levels were off. 

Steve was referred to an endocrinologist who ordered a karyotype (a picture of a person’s chromosomes) that finally gave him the answer. He had an extra sex chromosome. But not as he suspected–an extra X; Steve has an extra Y.  

He found a doctor that had treated men with XXY but never XYY. The condition is half as common–XYY affects about 1 in 1,000 males. In some individuals, the manifestations of XYY are mild and barely noticeable, while others have more severe symptoms. 

Steve read every research article on XYY he could find online. He learned that about 30% of those with XYY are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. That explained his social issues. While most males with XYY have intelligence in the normal range, many have language-based and other learning disabilities. Other possible concerns include social skill disabilities, immaturity, low self-esteem, ADHD, impulsivity, and anxiety or mood disorders. After learning all of this Steve thought, “This sounds like me.” 

The difficulties a person with XYY has can be alleviated with medical and educational interventions. Speech and motor skill difficulties respond to therapy. Anxiety and mood disorders or ADHD can be treated with behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes, appropriate medication. Special education accommodations and teaching methods can help those with XYY achieve academic success despite learning disabilities. Some individuals with XYY have significant anxiety related to school, and a change to a smaller classroom environment or an alternative learning setting, including part-time home schooling, can help. If only Steve had been diagnosed sooner. 

Sadly, when Steve got his diagnosis, his wife left him, citing his diagnosis. They had adopted a child who Steve raised as a single parent. Steve has a great job as the Student Center Administrator at a university; he’s been there over 30 years. “I learned that I need a hands-on job,” said Steve.  “I would not do well sitting behind a desk.” Steve described how he, like everyone, had to find his niche. He recommends that everyone “find where you fit in life.” 

It has not always been easy. His job was jeopardized by misunderstandings with a manager, but disclosing his diagnosis to the HR department and filing a claim with the EEOC straightened out the problem. “I knew the sudden poor performance reviews, when I had been a stellar employee, were discrimination, so I took action.” 

Today Steve is raising his son and works to educate healthcare providers and parents about XYY. “It is not that bad,” he says. Steve hopes that someday all doctors and educators will be well versed in sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) so people affected get diagnosed very young and can receive the interventions that make life easier. “I also hope they will treat the whole person, not just the symptoms. It is a holistic view that aids diagnosis of an SCA and really helps children.”

Steve served on the board of AXYS, the Association for X and Y Variations. He refers parents with questions to their website genetic.org and their toll free Helpline (888-999-9428) or helpline@genetic.org, where trained volunteers answer questions free of charge. He supports AXYS’ efforts to develop clinics for adults with SCA. “We need to know what to expect as we age,” said Steve. “A study back in the 80s reported that the average life expectancy of a man with XYY is 10 years less than average. For an XXY guy it is 5 years less. Maybe we can change that.”

2019-11-13T21:56:33-05:00Categories: 47,XYY|

Reflecting on the 2019 AXYS Family Conference 

We promised that our 2019 AXYS Family Conference would be the best one yet and we achieved that goal. Nearly 400 participants from as far away as Brazil and The Netherlands gained knowledge and understanding in Atlanta. You could feel the strong sense of community and watch friendships blossom. Here are some comments from those who attended in their own words:  

“The people my daughter and I met were amazing.” 

“A real sense of community was present at this conference.” 

“The camaraderie with other parents was invaluable. Seeing our son mingle with the other guys so comfortably. The bowling, pool, and billiards were a hit!”

“This conference has changed our lives, and in return our son’s…AXYS is a family I am proud to have, my admiration of the doctors is off the charts!!!”

“I had a WONDERFUL experience at the conference. I learned so much, and my cup is full of knowledge that I am excited to share. I’m already looking forward to the next conference. Thank you to all the people in the background who got things together. I know it’s a job. Thank you so much.” 

From an exhibitor: “I wanted to thank you for producing a flawless event where researchers and clinicians could share our findings with the families and other professionals. The event felt very well organized and we felt very well taken care of in terms of food and drink, along with comfortable places to talk with families and among ourselves.  Both formal and impromptu discussions about our research with families who have participated in the past, are about to participate in the near future, or are now considering participating thanks to these opportunities, were truly the highlight of the conference.”

AXYS offered live webcasting for the first time. From as far away as Cyprus, 35 families were able to participate from their homes, watching sessions as they happened and submitting questions for the speakers. These sessions were recorded and are available on our YouTube channel

To share knowledge with those who could not join us and to serve as a review for those in attendance the slide decks and the posters are available on our website. We also have slide decks and recordings from past conferences that remain relevant and offer practical knowledge. Visit https://genetic.org/about/conference-mtrls/.

Everyone at AXYS offers deep gratitude to all who learned from our amazing speakers, enjoyed bowling in Wisteria Lanes, gained new friends, participated in group and family portraits, met researchers, and joined support groups. Over 90% reported the conference met or exceeded their expectations and over 80% said they learned what they were hoping to learn. 

Numerous aspects of this event were taken from the suggestions offered after the 2017 conference including: lunch choices, conference t-shirts, having a place for teens and adults to hang out and play cards or board games, having a session with awareness advocates, special ‘retreat’ sessions for parents of infants and toddlers and another retreat on transitioning to adulthood. Most session topics came from our community including: special education, testosterone replacement, fertility, siblings and mental health.  Our thanks to all who offered more great suggestions that we will use to plan the next conference.

More from attendees in their own words: 

My son is not alone… I am not alone and most of all, it was NOT MY FAULT! I have felt so guilty about my son being diagnosed with xxy and always thought I had done something to cause this!” 

“I had a chance to speak with families/caretakers of other XXYY guys and realized that so many of them are going through the same things that our family is going through. It’s nice to know that you are not alone.” 

“I got so much out of the interaction with other KS men and their family members. I shared a lot with them and learned a lot from them”

“Networking was huge. Also great for my young adult son to meet others and meet some great role models.”

“The most valuable part of the conference for me was meeting and interacting with the other Trisomy X families, especially the teens. I loved them all.” 

“Our first conference… day one…what we have learned and the amazing people we have met…there are just no words to express the love and respect 😊…in just one day, we have gained more information, and had things explained to us by the EXPERTS in AXYS that our doctors couldn’t in 11 years!!…And on top of the brilliant minds….each and every Doctor and the entire AXYS family was more caring than the next!!!!!…the information we received today will take us days to digest …lol ….we have learned things today….that our own doctors are misinformed about!!!…This conference will make a difference not just in my sons life ….but in every one of his doctors lives from this day forward ….THANK YOU”

“Not enough words to describe the feeling of satisfaction, friendships formed, knowledge gained, great speakers, good food, amazing Emory Conference Center, and so much more… Thank you Gary GlissmanCarol Meerschaert, and everyone from AXYS and elsewhere who worked so hard to make this Conference such a success! Grateful, hopeful, optimistic and ready to fight harder through this journey. Stronger together as we move forward to break barriers for X and Y Variations!”

(Photos by Stuart Hasson Studios)

2019-08-03T12:52:41-04:00Categories: All Variations|Tags: |

Oxandrolone Treatment Results in Increased Risk of Gonadarche in Prepubertal Boys With KS (early testosterone use)

Article Title: Oxandrolone Treatment Results in an Increased Risk of Gonadarche in Prepubertal Boys With Klinefelter Syndrome

Authors: Shanlee M. Davis, Najiba Lahlou, Matthew Cox-Martin, Karen Kowal, Philip S. Zeitler, and Judith L. Ross

Date of Publication: June 20, 2018

“Two years of Ox[androlone] treatment in prepubertal boys with KS results in an increased risk of early gonadarche, on average 2 years earlier than in [placebo]-treated boys. Ox did not affect serum concentrations of testicular hormones.”

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Social cognition and underlying cognitive mechanisms in children with an extra X chromosome: a comparison with autism spectrum disorder

Article Title: Social cognition and underlying cognitive mechanisms in children with an extra X chromosome: a comparison with autism spectrum disorder

Authors: S. van Rijn, L. Stockmann, G. van Buggenhout, C. van Ravenswaaij-Arts, and H. Swaab

Date of Publication: 2014

This 2014 paper by Dr. Sophie van Rijn is an excellent study on the Theory of Mind and “the reported social behavioral difficulties in individuals with an extra X chromosome include shyness, social withdrawal, social anxiety, social immaturity, difficulties in peer relationships, social impulsivity, communication difficulties, reduced social assertiveness and difficulties with ‘being sensitive and responsive to the feelings and rights of others.”

“Individuals with an extra X chromosome are at increased  risk for autism symptoms. This study is the first to assess theory of mind and facial affect labeling in children with an extra X chromosome.”

Read more

2019-04-30T09:29:50-04:00Categories: 47,XXX (trisomy x), 47,XXY (Klinefelter), 48,XXXY, 48,XXYY|

Recent advances in managing and understanding Klinefelter syndrome

Article Title: Recent advances in managing and understanding Klinefelter syndrome

Authors: Priyanka Bearelly and Robert Oates

Date of Publication: January 28, 2019

“Klinefelter syndrome can present as a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations at various stages in life, making it a chromosomal disorder with no standardized set of guidelines for appropriate management. Understanding the genetic and hormonal causes of this syndrome can allow physicians to treat each patient on a more individualized basis. The timing of diagnosis and degree of symptoms can guide management. This report will provide an updated review of the clinical presentation at various stages in life and the implications for management.”

Read more

2019-04-01T11:09:48-04:00Categories: 47,XXY (Klinefelter)|Tags: |

How AXYS accomplishes our mission: introducing the 2019 AXYS Committees

Much of the work AXYS does is handled by our committees.  The AXYS Executive Committee:
Gary Glissman (Chair)
Larry Rakowski (Vice-chair)
Erin Frith (Secretary)
Myra Byrd (Past-chair)

serves as the main body responsible for fiscal oversight, governance and nominations. They meet monthly and email frequently. We’re grateful for their hard work and dedication that furthers our mission every day.

The AXYS Programs & Services Oversight Committee helps create, monitor, evaluate and prioritize AXYS programs and services designed to assist families and individuals impacted by X & Y variations, and the professionals who serve them. The committee ensures that our programs and services are comprehensive, family-friendly, address all variations and are sensitive to the needs and wants of individuals with a variation.

We thank:
Hannah Acevedo, chair of In-Person Support Group Sub-Committee
Ginnie Cover
Erin Frith, chair of Online Support Group Sub-Committee
Carrie Riby

for their work in this area.

The AXYS Research Oversight Committee apprises the full board of research related to X & Y variations, seeks out and/or recommends ways for AXYS to become involved in or support research, reviews and approves requests by researchers who wish to recruit for research and/or promote their research findings, and monitors the organization’s role in any research.

We thank:
Sheryl Kelly (committee chair)
Sharron Close
Gary Glissman
Susan Howell
Larry Rakowski

for their work in this area.

The AXYS Fundraising and Development Committee assists the AXYS Board and Executive Director in fundraising activities. The committee helps identify, recommend, plan, execute and monitor fundraising opportunities.  This includes working with fellow board members, members of the support group network, major donors and the X & Y variation community at-large. The committees identify and recommends tools and techniques to help maximize fundraising results. The committee regularly apprises the board of opportunities, progress and challenges related to fundraising revenue.

Myra Byrd
Gail Decker

The board welcomes volunteers who wish to assist on these committees. We have opportunities of all sizes from a one-time task to ongoing planning. Send an email to our Executive Director and let her know how you can help. She will connect you with the committee leader that best matches your talents and the time you can offer.

2024-06-26T14:09:16-04:00Categories: All Variations|Tags: |

AXYS Clinic and Research Consortium Spotlight: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Klinefelter and All XY Variations Program at CHOP

In 2015, the AXYS Board of Directors created the AXYS Clinic and Research Consortium (ACRC). This exciting development committed us to organize, fund and expand a consortium that operates as independent clinics which collaborate with one another, share informational resources, and explore opportunities to participate in joint research projects. In addition, AXYS organizes annual meetings of the consortium where members meet to discuss topics important to the SCA community.

One goal of AXYS is to ensure that all families impacted by X and Y chromosome variations have access to the best available evaluation and treatments. The ACRC is an important means of achieving that goal.

In 2018 the Klinefelter and All XY Variations Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) joined the ACRC. The clinic’s medical director is Maria G. Vogiatzi, MD, an attending physician in the Division of Endocrinology at CHOP. Her research includes many articles on SCAs including this article published last month: Endocrine aspects of Klinefelter syndrome. A co-author on this paper is Michelle McLoughlin, MSN, CRNP, CPNP-AC, a pediatric nurse practitioner in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes at CHOP. Michelle is well-known by many in the AXYS community who live in the Philadelphia region as she treats their children alongside Dr. Vogiatzi.  Beth Keena, MS, LCGC and Dr. Zackai provide the genetic counseling for the team.

The CHOP program, established in 2016, follows approximately 80 families. They held their first Klinefelter Patient Family Support Group Symposium on March 9, 2019. AXYS greeted families at the registration desk and shared brochures and information on our 2019 Family Conference. This Saturday morning event offered families scientific and practical information on many aspects of Klinefelter Syndrome from endocrine concerns to behavior.

“We were very excited to see so many families coming to our first support group symposium,” said Dr. Vogiatzi. “We feel that there is a great need for educational and support programs and we expect to hold more events in the future.”

For more information on the program at CHOP contact Office Coordinator Meagan Snow-Bailey or Nurse Practitioner Michelle McLoughlin at 215-590-3174 or send an email to AdrenalPubertyCenter@email.chop.edu

You can learn more on their Website: www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/klinefelter-syndrome.

 

2019-03-23T16:58:19-04:00Categories: All Variations|Tags: , |

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Males with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy: XXY/Klinefelter syndrome, XYY, and XXYY

Article Title: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Males with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy: XXY/Klinefelter syndrome, XYY, and XXYY

Authors: Nicole R Tartaglia, MD, Rebecca Wilson, PsyD, Judith S. Miller, PhD, Jessica Rafalko, Lisa Cordeiro, MS, Shanlee Davis, MD, David Hessl, PhD, and Judith Ross, MD

Date of Publication: April 2017

“The rate of ASD in children with SCA in this study was higher than expected compared to the general population. Males with Y chromosome aneuploidy (XYY and XXYY) were 4.8 times more likely to have a diagnosis of ASD than the XXY/KS group, and 20 times more likely than males in the general population based on the 2010 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate of 1 in 42 males. ASD is an important consideration when evaluating social difficulties for children with SCA. Studies of males with SCA and Y-chromosome genes may provide insight into idiopathic ASD and male predominance in ASD.”

Read more

2019-02-21T11:15:50-05:00Categories: 47,XXY (Klinefelter), 47,XYY, 48,XXYY|

Research Suggests a Cure for Neuroticism

Article Title: Research Suggests a Cure for Neuroticism

Author: Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD

Date of Publication: July 11, 2017

“Although personality traits are theoretically unchangeable, as they are thought to be part of the fabric of the individual’s psyche, new research suggests some ways that people high in this quality can feel happier about themselves and their lives.”

Read more

2018-11-30T12:58:56-05:00Categories: All Variations|

Neuroses and neuroticism: What’s the difference?

Article Title: Neuroses and neuroticism: What’s the difference?

Author: Adam Felman

Date of Publication: January 9, 2018

“The word neuroses was originally coined in the 18th century to label a range of psychological disorders that could not usually be linked to a physical cause. It is often confused for neuroticism, a personality trait.”

Read more

2018-11-30T12:48:27-05:00Categories: All Variations|
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