Turner syndrome treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

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Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes. Our doctors are registered Canadian physicians that can help manage Turner syndrome and related health issues such as osteoporosis or diabetes. Our network of doctors also includes endocrinologists who can provide hormonal treatment for Turner syndrome in many provinces. Many women with Turner syndrome require ongoing treatment and prescriptions and telemedicine can be a valuable time saver for them.

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that causes women to be born with one complete X chromosome and a second X chromosome that is either improperly formed or absent entirely. Turner syndrome primarily affects the reproductive system, and women with the condition rarely go through puberty without hormonal intervention and are often infertile.

Turner syndrome is associated with certain physical characteristics but some individuals are less affected than others. Symptoms of Turner syndrome include:

• Widely spaced nipples
• Wide and webbed neck
• Swelling of the hands and feet
• Short stature
• Lowered hairline in the back of the head
• No onset of menstruation at puberty
• Lack of breast development at puberty
• Women with Turner syndrome are of average intelligence but may have an increased incidence of learning disabilities

Turner syndrome is caused by a random genetic mutation that affects the X chromosomes. It isn’t attributable to maternal or paternal genes or behaviour.

Doctors may suspect Turner syndrome in girls with certain physical traits, but Turner syndrome can only be diagnosed through a specific type of blood test called a karyotype. In less severe cases, the diagnosis may not come until later in life when a girl’s shortened stature and failure to begin puberty become apparent.

There is no cure for Turner syndrome, but treatment with growth hormone and estrogen replacement therapy addresses many of its symptoms. Growth hormone is typically given in childhood and adolescence to help individuals attain a more “normal” height. Most preteen girls with Turner syndrome also require estrogen replacement therapy to stimulate puberty. Many women with Turner syndrome take this medication throughout their lives.

Women with Turner syndrome have a higher risk of developing heart and kidney issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and bone issues. Those that develop these issues often need additional medical treatment for these health conditions. Life expectancy with Turner syndrome is somewhat shorter than typical, especially if individuals suffer from concurrent health issues. But if these concerns are properly managed, the prognosis for Turner syndrome is usually positive, and individuals can live a long and healthy life.