Myostatin Issues- Dylan's Strength

Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy is a rare condition characterized by reduced body fat and increased muscle size. Affected individuals have up to twice the usual amount of muscle mass in their bodies. They also tend to have increased muscle strength. This condition is not known to cause any medical problems, and affected individuals are intellectually normal. Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy is caused by mutations in the MSTN gene. It follows an incomplete autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. 

In layman's terms:

Too LITTLE Myostatin causes too MUCH muscle.

Our guest today is discussing her son's condition where he has twice the normal myostatin in his body, and yet he has more muscle mass and less fat in his body than his peers!  It is possible that he is the only living person with this particular disorder, thereby officially kicking off our "Rare-Diseases Segment" of PodcastDX.

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Shari Graber knew, without a doubt, her son was special the day he was born.  From her hospital bed, she saw her infant, only hours old, lift his head from his bassinet in the hospital room and look around the room!  "No one would ever believe me" she thought to herself- and Dylan's life began with gusto!  Listen to this week's episode to hear this incredible story!

         (Pictured) Dylan, Mackenzie, Shari & Kevin Graber