Longitudinal Changes in Hematologic Parameters Among Transgender People Receiving Hormone Therapy

Effect of testosterone formulations on hematocrit in transgender individuals: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Approximately, 11% of trans men experience erythrocytosis diagnosis due to testosterone administration during the first year of the gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT).

OBJECTIVES

To identify and compare the effect of different testosterone formulations on hematocrit (Hct) and diagnose erythrocytosis in trans men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This systematic review was based on PRISMA guidelines. We performed an electronic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in January 2024. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of evidence in the observational studies.

RESULTS

Of the 152 records retrieved, 18 met the eligibility criteria. Studies observed an increase of up to 5% in Hct in trans men using injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU), and up to 6.9% in trans men using intermediate injectable testosterone esters (TE). Trans men using TE experience a larger increase in serum Hct levels compared to those receiving TU. Erythrocytosis prevalence varies according to the cutoff used (50%, 52%, and 54%). Erythrocytosis was also associated with tobacco use, age at initiation of hormone therapy, body mass index (BMI), and pulmonary conditions. Studies that evaluated the effect of testosterone formulation on erythrocytosis diagnosis present conflicting result. Trans men have a hazard ratio of 7.4 (95% CI: 4.1, 13.4) of developing erythrocytosis compared to cisgender men, using a 52% hematocrit cutoff.

CONCLUSION

All testosterone formulations result in an increase in Hct, irrespective of dose, formulation, and administration method. Smoking, higher age at initiation of the testosterone therapy, higher BMI, and a predisposing medical history are associated with this increase in Hct. The difference in effect of TE and TU on Hct is conflicting, although it is important to point out that these data come from observational studies, retrospective, and with a small-sample size.

Risk of erythrocytosis in transgender individuals undergoing testosterone therapy: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

In transgender individuals assigned female at birth, testosterone therapy is employed for body masculinization. Guidelines recommend close monitoring for potential side effects of hormonal therapy, especially during the first year. Erythrocytosis is a common finding during testosterone therapy and has been associated with a potential risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular events. Currently, the hematologic effects of testosterone therapy are understudied, with existing data primarily derived from the cisgender male population. The aim of this study was to comprehensively examine the hematological changes induced by testosterone therapy in the transgender population.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic search was conducted using the electronic database PubMed.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Thirty-six manuscripts were retrieved. After screening for original studies, 19 articles were included. Selected articles were published between 2005 and 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

In our systematic review, the prevalence of erythrocytosis varied from 0% to 29.3%, with severe erythrocytosis ranging from 0.5% to 2.3%. Testosterone therapy was associated with an increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit, particularly within the first year of therapy. Factors such as serum testosterone levels, along with the duration, doses, and formulation of testosterone therapy, were found to be associated with the development of erythrocytosis. Further research is crucial to provide specific recommendations for clinical practice.

Impact of sex used for assignment of reference intervals in a population of patients taking gender-affirming hormones

Background

Gender-affirming hormone therapy with either estradiol or testosterone for transgender persons can significantly impact chemistry and hematology laboratory tests. The sex used for assignment of reference intervals (RIs) in the electronic health record (EHR) will influence normal/abnormal flagging of test results.

Objective

To analyze common non-hormonal laboratory tests with sex-specific RIs ordered in patients with sexual orientation/gender identify (SOGI) field differences (one or more differences between legal sex, sex assigned at birth, and gender identity) in the EHR at an academic medical center in midwestern United States.

Methods

We utilized a previously characterized data set of patients at our institution that included chart review information on gender identity and gender-affirming therapy. We focused on the subset of these patients that had orders for 18 common laboratory tests in calendar year 2021.

Results

A total of 1336 patients with SOGI field differences (1218 or 91.2% identifying as gender-expansive; 892 or 66.8% receiving estradiol or testosterone as gender-affirming therapy) had a total of 9374 orders for 18 laboratory tests with sex-specific RIs. Hemoglobin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and high-density lipoprotein were the most frequently ordered tests. For patients taking estradiol, 128 of 970 (13.2%) creatinine and 39 of 193 (20.2%) hemoglobin measurements were within the RI for one sex but not the other. For those taking testosterone, 119 of 531 (22.4%) creatinine and 49 of 120 (40.8%) hemoglobin measurements were within the RI for one sex but not the other. Values above the cisgender female RI but within the cisgender male RI were common for hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in patients taking testosterone.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the potential impact of gender-affirming therapy on laboratory tests and what sex/gender is being used in the EHR to assign RIs.

Clinicians in the Veterans Health Administration initiate gender-affirming hormone therapy in concordance with clinical guideline recommendations

Background

Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is a common medical intervention sought by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. Initiating GAHT in accordance with clinical guideline recommendations ensures delivery of high-quality care. However, no prior studies have examined how current GAHT initiation compares to recommended GAHT initiation.

Objective

This study assessed guideline concordance around feminizing and masculinizing GAHT initiation in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods

The sample included 4,676 veterans with a gender identity disorder diagnosis who initiated feminizing (n=3,547) and masculinizing (n=1,129) GAHT between 2007 and 2018 in VHA. Demographics and health conditions on veterans receiving feminizing and masculinizing GAHT were assessed. Proportion of guideline concordant veterans on six VHA guidelines on feminizing and masculinizing GAHT initiation were determined.

Results

Compared to veterans receiving masculinizing GAHT, a higher proportion of veterans receiving feminizing GAHT were older (≥60 years: 23.7% vs. 6.3%), White non-Hispanic (83.5% vs. 57.6%), and had a higher number of comorbidities (≥7: 14.0% vs. 10.6%). A higher proportion of veterans receiving masculinizing GAHT were Black non-Hispanic (21.5% vs. 3.5%), had posttraumatic stress disorder (43.0% vs. 33.9%) and positive military sexual trauma (33.5% vs.16.8%; all p-values<0.001) than veterans receiving feminizing GAHT. Among veterans who started feminizing GAHT with estrogen, 97.0% were guideline concordant due to no documentation of contraindication, including venous thromboembolism, breast cancer, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Among veterans who started spironolactone as part of feminizing GAHT, 98.1% were guideline concordant as they had no documentation of contraindication, including hyperkalemia or acute renal failure. Among veterans starting masculinizing GAHT, 90.1% were guideline concordant due to no documentation of contraindications, such as breast or prostate cancer. Hematocrit had been measured in 91.8% of veterans before initiating masculinizing GAHT, with 96.5% not having an elevated hematocrit (>50%) prior to starting masculinizing GAHT. Among veterans initiating feminizing and masculinizing GAHT, 91.2% had documentation of a gender identity disorder diagnosis prior to GAHT initiation.

Conclusion

We observed high concordance between current GAHT initiation practices in VHA and guidelines, particularly for feminizing GAHT. Findings suggest that VHA clinicians are initiating feminizing GAHT in concordance with clinical guidelines. Future work should assess guideline concordance on monitoring and management of GAHT in VHA.

Erythrocytosis Is Rare With Exogenous Testosterone in Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

CONTEXT

Studies have found a variable incidence of erythrocytosis among people using testosterone as part of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of using exogenous testosterone as GAHT on hematocrit in a large North American cohort.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of testosterone and hematocrit laboratory values in 6670 patients who were prescribed testosterone through Plume, a national provider of GAHT. The prevalence of erythrocytosis, the mean hematocrit at predetermined testosterone thresholds and with varying routes of testosterone administration were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 6670 individuals, 560 (8.4%) had a hematocrit ≥50%, 182 ≥ 52% (2.7%), and 60 ≥ 54% (0.9%). There was significant variation (P < .001) in hematocrit between different clinically relevant testosterone thresholds (T < 50 vs T 50-299 vs T 300-999 vs T ≥ 1000 ng/dL) and when comparing serum testosterone in increments of 50 ng/dL within the target range for males (300-1000 ng/dL) (P < .001). Mean hematocrit ranged from 41.84% (T < 50 ng/dL) to 45.68% (T 900-949 ng/dL). Patients on intramuscular testosterone had a higher mean hematocrit than those on transdermal testosterone (44.96% vs 43.41%, P < .001). Both route of administration (P < .001) and testosterone level (P < .001) had statistically significant associations with hematocrit when controlling for each other.

CONCLUSION

While the magnitude of change in hematocrit with serum level and route of administration of testosterone was statistically significant, the absolute levels were within the normal range, unlikely to be clinically meaningful. These findings, along with the low prevalence of erythrocytosis, should help allay concerns about the use of testosterone as GAHT.

Sublingual Estradiol Offers No Apparent Advantage Over Combined Oral Estradiol and Cyproterone Acetate for Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy of Treatment-Naive Trans Women: Results of a Prospective Pilot Study

Purpose

Chronic gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) with sublingual estradiol (SLE) has not been studied. We aimed to compare GAHT with SLE only, to combined oral (CO) estradiol and cyproterone acetate, in treatment-naive trans women.

Methods

Twenty-two trans women enrolled into either the CO arm or the SLE-only arm (0.5 mg four times daily) in this 6-month prospective study. Anthropometric and laboratory variables were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months. At the study beginning and end, body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance, and gender dysphoria, sexual desire, and function were assessed by validated questionnaires.

Results

Subjects in the SLE were older, 26.3±5.8 years versus 20.1±2.3 years, p=0.006. All anthropometric, body composition, and laboratory variables were identical at baseline. Although dysphoria appeared greater, and sexual function lower at baseline in the CO group, this canceled out after age adjustment. Both treatments induced similar biochemical and hormonal changes. Creatinine, hemoglobin and cholesterol decreased significantly, while testosterone was suppressed to the same level in both groups: 3.22 [1.47-5.0] nmol/L in the SLE group and 2.41 [0.55-8.5] nmol/L in the CO, p=0.65. Significant changes in body composition toward a more feminine body were noted in both groups. Dysphoria did not significantly improve in either group, while sexual desire and function decreased at six months in both, p<0.001.

Conclusions

Both treatments achieved similar clinical changes. At this stage, SLE, which repeatedly induces alarming excursions of serum estradiol throughout the day, appears to offer no advantage over the CO approach.

Reduction of IFN-I responses by plasmacytoid dendritic cells in a longitudinal trans men cohort

Type I interferons (IFN-I) are important mediators of antiviral immunity and autoimmune diseases. Female plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) exert an elevated capacity to produce IFN-I upon toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) activation compared to male pDCs, and both sex hormones and X-encoded genes have been implicated in these sex-specific differences. Using longitudinal samples from a trans men cohort receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), the impact of testosterone injections on TLR7-mediated IFN-I production by pDCs was assessed. Single-cell RNA analyses of pDCs showed downregulation of IFN-I-related gene expression signatures but also revealed transcriptional inter-donor heterogeneity. Longitudinal quantification showed continuous reduction of IFN-I protein production by pDCs and reduced expression of IFN-I-stimulated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These studies in trans men demonstrate that testosterone administration reduces IFN-I production by pDCs over time and provide insights into the immune-modulatory role of testosterone in sex-specific IFN-I-mediated immune responses.

Sex differences and athletic performance. Where do trans individuals fit into sports and athletics based on current research?

There are well known sex differences in parameters of physical fitness/performance due to changes occurring during sexual development. Thus, many sport and athletic events have regulations separating male and female participants. However, the inclusion or exclusion of transgender individuals in athletics has recently received outsized attention despite relatively few cases of transgender athletes. When determining which athletic gender category trans individuals should be permitted to compete in, it is important to understand the level of physical fitness/performance these individuals possess relative to their cisgender counterparts. Unfortunately, there are few studies investigating this topic, and several complications that confound this research. The current review seeks to discuss sex and gender as concepts, review sex differences in fitness/performance and how they develop, and then, consider how current evidence suggests that trans individuals compare to cis individuals. Finally, this review seeks to offer considerations for whether trans individuals should be excluded from sports and athletics, and how future research should proceed to better understand this marginalized population.

A National Survey of United States-based Endocrinologists who Prescribe Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

OBJECTIVE

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care (SOC) Version 7 recommended that before initiating gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), patients should seek a psychosocial evaluation from a mental health professional documenting a diagnosis of persistent gender dysphoria. The Endocrine Society published guidelines in 2017 recommending against an obligatory psychosocial evaluation, which was affirmed in the recently published WPATH SOC Version 8 from 2022. Little is known about how endocrinologists ensure appropriate psychosocial assessment for their patients. This study assessed the protocols and characteristics of United States-based adult endocrinology clinics that prescribe GAHT.

METHODS

An anonymous electronic survey sent to members of a professional organization and the "Endocrinologists" Facebook group was responded to by 91 practicing board-certified adult endocrinologists who prescribe GAHT.

RESULTS

Thirty-one states were represented by the respondents. Overall, 83.1% of GAHT-prescribing endocrinologists reported accepting Medicaid. They reported working in university practices (28.4%), community practices (22.7%), private practices (27.3%), and other practice settings (21.6%). Overall, 42.9% of the respondents reported that their practice required documentation of a psychosocial evaluation from a mental health professional before initiating GAHT.

CONCLUSION

Endocrinologists who prescribe GAHT are divided about requiring a baseline psychosocial evaluation before prescribing GAHT. Further work is needed to understand the impact of psychosocial assessment on patient care and facilitate the uptake of new guidelines into clinical practice.

Incidence, Contributing Factors, and Implications for Clinical Management of Polycythemia in Transmasculine Patients on Testosterone

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate contributing factors and management strategies for polycythemia in transmasculine patients on testosterone therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed for transmasculine patients on testosterone for at least 12 months. Data collected from each patient included age, body mass index (BMI), nicotine dependence, pulmonary disease status, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) status, oophorectomy status, and testosterone route of administration. For patients who developed polycythemia, polycythemia management strategy data were collected. Results: Five-hundred-eleven patients were evaluated and 113 (22%) experienced an episode of polycythemia. Within the polycythemia group, 77% of patients were younger than age 40, 56% had a BMI >30.0, 44% had current or former nicotine dependence, 12% had a pulmonary disease, 12% had OSA, and 47% had received an oophorectomy. The polycythemia group had a significantly higher average age, BMI, and dose of testosterone, and also had a higher proportion of patients with OSA and an oophorectomy. Conclusion: These results revealed that polycythemia is a common side effect for transmasculine patients on testosterone. Importantly, previous oophorectomy may be associated with polycythemia which appears to be a novel finding. This finding requires further research but provides the potential to be an important screening consideration for transmasculine patients after oophorectomy. Polycythemia will continue to be a major concern for patients on testosterone therapy, and this study provided important information for clinical practice and future research that will lead to improved outcomes.

Gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health, and surgical considerations for aging transgender and gender diverse adults

As the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population ages, more transfeminine and transmasculine individuals present to clinic to initiate or continue their gender-affirming care at older ages. Currently available guidelines on gender-affirming care are excellent resources for the provision of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), primary care, surgery, and mental health care but are limited in their scope as to whether recommendations require tailoring to older TGD adults. Data that inform guideline-recommended management considerations, while informative and increasingly evidence-based, mainly come from studies of younger TGD populations. Whether results from these studies, and therefore recommendations, can or should be extrapolated to aging TGD adults remains to be determined. In this perspective review, we acknowledge the lack of data in older TGD adults and discuss considerations for evaluating cardiovascular disease, hormone-sensitive cancers, bone health and cognitive health, gender-affirming surgery, and mental health in the older TGD population on GAHT.

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8

Background: Transgender healthcare is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. In the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number and visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seeking support and gender-affirming medical treatment in parallel with a significant rise in the scientific literature in this area. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, multidisciplinary, professional association whose mission is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. One of the main functions of WPATH is to promote the highest standards of health care for TGD people through the Standards of Care (SOC). The SOC was initially developed in 1979 and the last version (SOC-7) was published in 2012. In view of the increasing scientific evidence, WPATH commissioned a new version of the Standards of Care, the SOC-8. Aim: The overall goal of SOC-8 is to provide health care professionals (HCPs) with clinical guidance to assist TGD people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. Methods: The SOC-8 is based on the best available science and expert professional consensus in transgender health. International professionals and stakeholders were selected to serve on the SOC-8 committee. Recommendation statements were developed based on data derived from independent systematic literature reviews, where available, background reviews and expert opinions. Grading of recommendations was based on the available evidence supporting interventions, a discussion of risks and harms, as well as the feasibility and acceptability within different contexts and country settings. Results: A total of 18 chapters were developed as part of the SOC-8. They contain recommendations for health care professionals who provide care and treatment for TGD people. Each of the recommendations is followed by explanatory text with relevant references. General areas related to transgender health are covered in the chapters Terminology, Global Applicability, Population Estimates, and Education. The chapters developed for the diverse population of TGD people include Assessment of Adults, Adolescents, Children, Nonbinary, Eunuchs, and Intersex Individuals, and people living in Institutional Environments. Finally, the chapters related to gender-affirming treatment are Hormone Therapy, Surgery and Postoperative Care, Voice and Communication, Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, and Mental Health. Conclusions: The SOC-8 guidelines are intended to be flexible to meet the diverse health care needs of TGD people globally. While adaptable, they offer standards for promoting optimal health care and guidance for the treatment of people experiencing gender incongruence. As in all previous versions of the SOC, the criteria set forth in this document for gender-affirming medical interventions are clinical guidelines; individual health care professionals and programs may modify these in consultation with the TGD person.

Uncovering the effects of gender affirming hormone therapy on skeletal muscle and epigenetics: protocol for a prospective matched cohort study in transgender individuals (the GAME study)

INTRODUCTION

Gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is increasingly used by transgender individuals and leads to shifts in sex hormone levels. Skeletal muscle is highly responsive to hormone activity, with limited data on the effects of GAHT on different human tissues. Here, we present the protocol for the GAME study (the effects of Gender Affirming hormone therapy on skeletal Muscle training and Epigenetics), which aims to uncover the effects of GAHT on skeletal muscle 'omic' profiles (methylomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and markers of skeletal muscle health and fitness.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a prospective age-matched cohort study in transgender adults commencing GAHT (n=80) and age-matched individuals not commencing GAHT (n=80), conducted at Austin Health and Victoria University in Victoria, Australia. Assessments will take place prior to beginning GAHT and 6 and 12 months into therapies in adults commencing GAHT. Age-matched individuals will be assessed at the same time points. Assessments will be divided over three examination days, involving (1) aerobic fitness tests, (2) muscle strength assessments and (3) collection of blood and muscle samples, as well as body composition measurements. Standardised diets, fitness watches and questionnaires will be used to control for key confounders in analyses. Primary outcomes are changes in aerobic fitness and muscle strength, as well as changes in skeletal muscle DNA methylation and gene expression profiles. Secondary outcomes include changes in skeletal muscle characteristics, proteomics, body composition and blood markers. Linear mixed models will be used to assess changes in outcomes, while accounting for repeated measures within participants and adjusting for known confounders.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Austin Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and Victoria University HREC granted approval for this study (HREC/77146/Austin-2021). Findings from this project will be published in open-access, peer-reviewed journals and presented to scientific and public audiences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12621001415897; Pre-results.

Optimizing sexual and reproductive health across the lifespan in people with cystic fibrosis

With improved therapies, people with cystic fibrosis are living longer and healthier lives and increasingly have questions surrounding their sexual and reproductive health. This article will summarize the important issues of which providers should be aware during the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis, including puberty, adulthood, and menopause. A wide range of sexual and reproductive health topics are addressed such as puberty, transgender and gender nonbinary identities, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, hypogonadism, sexual functioning, cyclical hemoptysis, and urinary incontinence. We discuss gaps in knowledge and current evidence as well as management strategies to optimize care. Our goal is to support providers to enable them to give comprehensive care throughout the lifespan of people with cystic fibrosis.

[The problem of the use of hormonal therapy aimed for sex correction by transgender persons on their own initiative]

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the demand for feminizing and masculinizing hormone therapy has increased significantly among transgender people around the world. There are no such studies in Russia and the amount of medical information on the transgender population is limited.

AIM

to assess the number of transgender patients who take hormone therapy without a doctor's prescription and to characterize the medicines they use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

data from 1117 transgender patients were included in to analysis: 44.01% (n=515) of them were trans women, 55.99% (n=630) were trans men. Patients applied to the "Scientific Center for Personalized Medicine" in order to receive medical care.

RESULTS

Half of transgender people (53.6%) are already taking hormonal drugs. More often transgender women (76.7%), less often transgender men (32.3%). In this case, only 8.6% turned to endocrinologists for the therapy prescription. Many patients used unlicensed drugs, use irrational schemes and combinations, often overdose.

CONCLUSION

A significant number of transgender people start using hormone replacement therapy on their own initiative, without the doctor's supervision. The solution to this problem could be incensement of knowledge level in doctors and patients to create a friendly environment and productive interaction between therapists, endocrinologists and transgender people, as well as the organization of consulting centers within public medical institutions.

The relationship between 2D:4D ratio and postpartum adult female variables in a Ghanaian population

OBJECTIVES

Postpartum hematological and anthropometric assessment is a requirement for optimal maternal and child health. The study aimed to determine the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and postpartum hematological and anthropometric variables in adult females.

METHODS

The study was cross-sectional from December 2020 to April 2021 involving 272 postpartum adult females, aged between 18 and 36 years. The right (2D:4DR) and the left (2D:4DL) digit ratios were measured using computer-assisted analysis. Fasting venous samples were collected at a median (interquartile range) of 111 (44-210) days postpartum and analyzed for total testosterone (TT), estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, and complete blood count.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation 2D:4DR and 2D:4DL were 0.94 ± 0.04 and 0.93 ± 0.04, respectively. As expected, the TT (r = -0.198, p = .015) and the free androgen index (FAI: r = -0.186, p = .019) were inversely correlated with the 2D:4DL while free testosterone (FT%: r = -0.157, p = .038) was inversely correlated with the 2D:4DR. The absolute basophile count (BASO: r = -0.124, p = .040) and the Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR: r = -0.153, p = .016) were inversely correlated with the 2D:4DL and the 2D:4DR respectively. In addition, the mean cell volume was inversely correlated with the 2D:4DR (r = -0.139, p = .024) and the 2D:4DL (r = -0.122, p = .045). Moreover, the 2D:4DR was inversely correlated with height (r = -0.164, p = .007). Unexpectedly, the red blood cell count (RBC: r = 0.138, p = .025) was positively correlated with the 2D:4DR.

CONCLUSION

There are significant relationships between the 2D:4D ratio and postpartum female variables. These findings are useful preliminary reference data for postpartum research and subsequent 2D:4D ratio studies.

Iron Deficiency and Anemia 10 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Severe Obesity

Iron deficiency with or without anemia is a well-known long-term complication after Roux-en-Y, gastric bypass (RYGB) as the procedure alters the gastrointestinal absorption of iron. Iron is essential for hemoglobin synthesis and a number of cellular processes in muscles, neurons, and other organs. Ferritin is the best marker of iron status, and in a patient without inflammation, iron deficiency occurs when ferritin levels are below 15 µg/L, while iron insufficiency occurs when ferritin levels are below 50 µg/L. Lifelong regular blood tests are recommended after RYGB, but the clinical relevance of iron deficiency and iron insufficiency might be misjudged as long as the hemoglobin levels are normal. The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia one decade or more after RYGB, the use of per oral iron supplements, and the frequency of intravenous iron treatment. Nine hundred and thirty patients who underwent RYGB for severe obesity at three public hospitals in Norway in the period 2003-2009 were invited to a follow-up visit 10-15 years later. Results from blood tests and survey data on the use of oral iron supplements and intravenous iron treatment were analyzed. Ferritin and hemoglobin levels more than 10 years after RYGB were available on 530 patients [423 (79.8%) women]. Median (IQR) ferritin was 33 (16-63) µg/L, and mean (SD) hemoglobin was 13.4 (1.3) g/dl. Iron deficiency (ferritin ≤ 15 µg/L) was seen in 125 (23.6%) patients; in addition, iron insufficiency (ferritin 16-50 µg/L) occurred in 233 (44%) patients. Mean (SD) hemoglobin levels were 12.5 (1.4) g/dl in patients with iron deficiency, 13.5 (1.2) g/dl in patients with iron insufficiency, 13.8 (1.3) g/dl in the 111 (21%) patients with ferritin 51-100 µg/L, and 13.8 (1.2) g/dl in the 55 (10%) patients with ferritin >100 µg/L. Two hundred and seventy-five (56%) patients reported taking oral iron supplements, and 138 (27.5%) had received intravenous iron treatment after the RYGB procedure. Iron deficiency or iron insufficiency occurred in two-thirds of the patients 10 years after RYGB, although more than half of them reported taking oral iron supplements.