That's the syndrome where, even though I'm male, I have 2 X chromosomes instead of just one.

I'm beyond 18 already. I've started to suspect that I may have Klinefelter's syndrome. I'm tall (slightly over 6 feet), but my parents were also tall (5'8-5'9 for one, 5'11-6 for the other).

I don't have much facial or body hair but I think my ethnicity (Asian) isn't known to have an abundance of facial or body hair. I've been told that I'm baby-faced.

I also have the beginnings of what looks like breasts. However, I'm also about 20 pounds overweight. I don't know if my fat distribution is feminine. I have an embarrassing belly.

I don't have broad shoulders, I don't work out. My shoulders are broader than my hips and waist. Also, even though I'm tall, I'm not particularly strong. I can lift and move things but I can't throw a football as far as my friend who's shorter than I am.

I think I'm above average intelligence but sometimes I get stuck in speech and tend to ramble on.
My penis is at average or below average (~5).
I've had 2 blood tests and they both came back with somewhat low testosterone levels (300-400 ng/dl).

The one saving grace is that I don't have small testes. I measured using an orchidometer, and I've read that people with Klinefelter's syndrome usually have testes around 3ml. A scientific study found that the biggest testicle a Klinefelter's patient had was about 9ml. When I measured mine (I could've measured wrong), there was no way either testicle was around 10ml. They looked bigger than 25ml.

I also have a surprisingly strong libido. I like girls and seem to be always interested in them.

I've tried to get a karyotype but my doctor said my insurance won't cover it. Should I pay out of pocket for a karyotype? How much would it cost?

Do you believe you have most illnesses you hear about?

I think you are trying to find a problem that does not exist.
Should you pay for it, why not, you will not be happy till you get one. Your doctor can tell you the costs.

What leads you to believe that the problem doesn't exist?

"Oak Tree"

I am the executive director of KS&A, the world's oldest and largest organization dedicated to X and Y chromosome variations--including 47,XXY and the related package of symptoms known as Klinefelter Syndrome.

Yourself assessment does not include many known symptoms of KS, but your list is short. I suggest you go to our website to learn more about these conditions: www.genetic.org.

If, after reviewing our site, you feel there is adequate reason to believe you are XXY, there is only one way to know, and that is a karyotype. Your doctor may know about your insurance coverage, and the doc may know whether insurance will pay for the karyotype. These tests can be expensive.

If you are diagnosed as 47,XXY, please avail yourself of our helpline and join to take full advantage of the forums. But don't waste your time on getting treatment, help and support until you have a diagnosis.

Jim Moore
Executive Director
KS&A
P.O. Box 461047
Aurora, CO 80046-1047
[email protected]
www.genetic.org
Toll-Free Helpline: 888-999-9428 (Denver/International: 303-400-9040)