There are “giants” in this world. The NBA is living proof. But most non-NBA members have Pituitary Gigantism, which occurs when the pituitary gland secretes too much Growth Hormone (somatotropin or HGH). This makes the person’s growth increase exponentially. If this occurs before the growth plates close in the late teens to early twenties, gigantism occurs; if later in life the person suffers from acromegaly.
The wrestler Andre’ the Giant is famous example. He eventually reached 7’4” and 550 pounds.
But a less common form of giantism is Sotos-Dodge Syndrome. This is not related to a pituitary problem or any other glandular dysfunction. It is a genetic disorder where the victim grows, and grows, and grows. It’s also often associated the a form of autism, muscle weakness, poor coordination, cognitive dysfunction, and the many orthopedic problems that all giants suffer.
Such is the case with 19-year-old Broc Brown, the world’s tallest teenager. He currently stands 7’8” and is still growing. But he lost his Guinness crown when he turned 19 as the tallest teen category is for those 18 and below. He seems to be a pleasant young man dealing with an uncomfortable situation with grace and style. Watch the video and I think you’ll agree.
Good luck, Broc.
The Telegraph News: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/21/worlds-tallest-teenager-with-genetic-disorder-cant-stop-growing/
Wikipedia: Gigantism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantism
Wikipedia: Sotos Syndrome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotos_syndrome
The Crime Fiction Writer's Blog 
Mary Lee Barton
October 19, 2016 at 4:26 pm
This young man’s story is interesting to me personally: When my older son was a young boy, I had him tested for a possible pituitary problem because he was quite tall and we have a family history of abnormally tall relatives. A tale passed down in the family is that a great-great-great uncle, Noah Orr, his brother, and father, if laid end-to-end, totaled over 21 feet in length. This was in the mid-1800s. I have a photo of Noah dressed in costume. He became rather well-known at the time, appearing in Barnum and Bailey’s circus. I don’t see in the photo any of the physical features mentioned in your article, nor were there any cognitive or emotional problems noted in the family history. Here’s a photo of him next to Mrs. Tom Thumb. http://www.thetallestman.com/noahorr.htm
In case you’re interested, I also found this short bio about Noah in a book on “The American Sideshow.”
https://books.google.com/books?id=_ruXJxuyNfgC&pg=PA79&lpg=PA79&dq=noah+orr+giant&source=bl&ots=gomKzRGJhN&sig=nmEXN13i3anljZmBKAfx0tC5ii8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjh85vg–fPAhUU92MKHXUcCmgQ6AEITzAN#v=onepage&q=noah%20orr%20giant&f=false
FWIW, my mother always seemed embarrassed by this “celebrity” in the family. Personally, I am 5′ 11″, and my two sons are 6’9″ (he’s the one I had tested, results negative), and 6’6″. We’re just darned tall! 🙂
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D.P. Lyle, MD
October 20, 2016 at 7:37 am
Mary Lee–Thanks for sending this along. Very interesting.
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