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Tomislav JurcecCroatian IT specialist and actor with pituitary hormone deficiency
Country:
 Croatia |
Content:
- An Extraordinary Medical Condition
- Impact on Everyday Life
- A Path to Acting
- The Role of a Theater Director
- Awkward Situations
- A Rare Medical Condition
- Treatment Options and Effects
Tomislav Jurcec: A Croatian IT Specialist and Actor with a Pituitary Hormone Deficiency
An Extraordinary Medical Condition
Tomislav Jurcec, a 23-year-old IT specialist from Croatia, has a rare medical condition known as pituitary hormone deficiency. This condition affects the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain and controls growth and aging. As a result, Jurcec has remained physically trapped in the body of a child and still appears to be 13 years old.
Impact on Everyday Life
Jurcec faces various challenges due to his unusual appearance, including difficulty purchasing cigarettes and alcohol. However, his condition has also led to some unexpected benefits.
A Path to Acting
Jurcec's diminutive size has paved the way for his acting career. He has landed a role as a body double for Peter Dinklage, who portrays Tyrion Lannister in the popular TV series "Game of Thrones." Jurcec also played an uncredited role as a "baby white walker" in an episode of the show.
The Role of a Theater Director
Around a decade ago, Jurcec met theater director Boris Balak, who played a pivotal role in introducing him to acting. He enrolled in acting school in Zagreb, performed in stage plays, and even appeared in a Finnish film.
Awkward Situations
Jurcec is well aware of his youthful appearance and often encounters amusing situations when trying to purchase age-restricted items. As he explains, "I find it very funny... I like to call it shock and disbelief. I lift my head, I smile, I give them my passport, and then I say, 'Here you go. Thank you. Goodbye.'"
A Rare Medical Condition
The pituitary gland, located behind the bridge of the nose, is responsible for releasing growth hormones and hormones responsible for sexual maturation. A condition similar to Jurcec's has also been observed in Zeng Yushan, a Chinese girl born in June 1994 in Sichuan province, China. Yushan stopped growing at age seven and was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor that resulted in a growth hormone deficiency.
Treatment Options and Effects
According to Professor Ashley Grossman of Oxford University, pituitary tumors can halt the aging process. "If you have a pituitary tumor, it can stop growth hormone being released," Grossman says. "You end up with a thumb-sized boy who is beautifully proportioned."
Without treatment, individuals with this condition may not grow at all. While they experience normal aging, they may live longer than expected. However, this is still a matter of debate.
Pituitary tumors are rare, affecting approximately one in 1,000 adults. The ratio is higher in children. Some individuals with this condition have a defective gene.
Professor Grossman adds, "We now have synthetic growth hormone that you can inject once a day, which can help overcome this problem." However, the loss of growth hormone can lead to the loss of other hormones, preventing individuals from entering puberty and potentially resulting in side effects such as hair loss.
