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Sánchez-Toscano E, Domínguez-Riscart J, Larrán-Escandón L, Mateo-Gavira I, Aguilar-Diosdado M. Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Transgender People after Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6141. [PMID: 37834785 PMCID: PMC10573211 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the last decade, healthcare for the transgender population has increased considerably in many countries thanks to depathologization movements and the easier accessibility of medical assistance. The age at which they request to start gender-affirming hormones (GAHs) is increasingly younger. The cardiovascular risk associated with hormonal treatment is a novel research field, and the published studies are heterogeneous and inconclusive. Our objective is to determine the metabolic impact of GAHs in the transgender people treated in our Gender Identity Treatment Unit. METHODS We designed a pre-post study to analyze changes in anthropometric parameters (weight and body mass index), analytical determinations (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipoproteins), and blood pressure control in the transgender population treated with GAHs in Puerta del Mar University Hospital. These variables were collected before and one year after hormonal therapy. RESULTS A total of 227 transgender people were recruited between 2017 and 2020, 97 (40.09%) transwomen and 136 (59.91%) transmen. The average age at which GAHs began was 18 years. Weight, body mass index, and blood pressure increased significantly in both genders. Transmen showed a more atherogenic lipid profile, with a decrease in cholesterol LDL (p < 0.001) and an increase in triglycerides (p < 0.001). The risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes did not increase one year after treatment, although non-specific alterations in carbohydrate metabolism were detected, such as an increase in glycated hemoglobin in transmen (p = 0.040) and fasting blood glucose in transwomen (p = 0.008). No thromboembolic processes or cardiovascular events were reported during the first year of treatment. CONCLUSION In our setting, transgender people developed changes in their metabolic profiles in the first year after hormonal treatment. Both transmen and transwomen showed early alterations in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, slight elevations in blood pressure, and a tendency to gain weight. This makes lifestyle interventions necessary from the beginning of GAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Sánchez-Toscano
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; (E.S.-T.); (L.L.-E.); (M.A.-D.)
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain;
| | - Jesús Domínguez-Riscart
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain;
- Pediatrics and Specific Areas Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, 11009 Cádiz, Spain
| | - Laura Larrán-Escandón
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; (E.S.-T.); (L.L.-E.); (M.A.-D.)
| | - Isabel Mateo-Gavira
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; (E.S.-T.); (L.L.-E.); (M.A.-D.)
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain;
| | - Manuel Aguilar-Diosdado
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Puerta del Mar University Hospital, 11009 Cádiz, Spain; (E.S.-T.); (L.L.-E.); (M.A.-D.)
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cádiz (INiBICA), 11009 Cádiz, Spain;
- School of Medicine, Cadiz University (UCA), 11003 Cádiz, Spain
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Senefeld JW, Hunter SK, Coleman D, Joyner MJ. Case Studies in Physiology: Male to Female Transgender Swimmer in College Athletics. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 134:1032-1037. [PMID: 36927141 PMCID: PMC10110692 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00751.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is current scientific and legal controversy about sports competition eligibility regulations for transgender athletes. In this case study, we quantified performances by an elite, transgender woman (male sex, female gender identity) college swimmer who competed in both the men's and women's NCAA categories. We also contextualized her performances with respect to contemporary elite college swimmers. These data demonstrate that the declines in freestyle swimming performances of a transgender woman after about two years of feminizing gender affirming hormone treatment (0.5% for the 100 to 7.3% for the 1650-yard distance) are smaller than the observed sex-related differences in performance of top athletes (11.4% for the 100 to 9.3% for the 1650-yard distance). Despite slower performances, the transgender woman swimmer experienced improvements in performance for each freestyle event (100 to 1650 yard) relative to sex-specific NCAA rankings, including producing the best swimming time in the NCAA for the 500-yard distance (65th in the men's category in 2018-19 to 1st in the women's, 2022). Similarly, NCAA-ranked male swimmers did not show large improvements in rank in the men's category during the same time frame. Our findings suggest that the performance times of the transgender woman swimmer in the women's NCAA category were outliers for each event distance, including 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1650-yard freestyle events. Our analysis may be useful as a framework for regulators considering participation guidelines which promote fair competition for all athletes- irrespective of gender identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Sandra K Hunter
- Exercise Science Program, Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Athletic and Human Performance Research Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Doriane Coleman
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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3
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Castelo-Branco C, RiberaTorres L, Gómez-Gil E, Uribe C, Cañizares S. Psychopathological symptoms in Spanish subjects with gender dysphoria. A cross-sectional study. Gynecol Endocrinol 2021; 37:534-540. [PMID: 33904350 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1913113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people with gender dysphoria have to face various stressful conditions, which make them more vulnerable to the development of psychopathological symptoms. AIMS The main goal was to compare psychopathological symptoms between individuals with gender dysphoria and those from the general population. Other secondary aims were to determine if there were differences between gender [male to females (MtFs) and female to males (FtMs)] and also according to cross-sex hormone therapy. METHOD Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) questionnaire was administered to a sample of 205 subjects with gender dysphoria (MtFs = 129 and FtMs = 76). The control group included 530 individuals from the general population who took part in the Spanish validation of the SCL-90-R questionnaire. RESULTS Overall, individuals with gender dysphoria had higher scores on all SCL-90-R dimensions than the general population, except in the dimension of somatization, in which MtF and FtM subjects scored statistically higher than control males but not than control females. The mean scores of all dimensions except Depression (mean score of 1.17) were below 1, that is, between 0 (not at all) and 1 (occasionally). All dimensions did not differ when comparing MtFs and FtMs nor when comparing gender dysphoric subjects with or without cross-sex hormonal therapy. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that most subjects with gender dysphoria attending a gender unit reported higher levels of psychopathology than the general population. However, the scores were indicative of the lack of any clinically relevant psychopathological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camil Castelo-Branco
- Clinical Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine-University of Barcelona, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura RiberaTorres
- Clinical Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine-University of Barcelona, Hospital Clinic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Gómez-Gil
- Gender Identity Unit, Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Uribe
- Department of Medicine, Medical Psychology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Cañizares
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Section of Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic., University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Lichtenecker DCK, Argeri R, Castro CHDM, Dias-da-Silva MR, Gomes GN. Cross-sex testosterone therapy modifies the renal morphology and function in female rats and might underlie increased systolic pressure. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2021; 48:978-986. [PMID: 33711175 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone esters are hormones commonly used for affirming gender identity in transmen. The present study evaluates the effect of testosterone on renal morphology and function in an animal model submitted to cross-sex hormone therapy used for transmen. Two-month-old Wistar rats were divided into three groups: male control (MC), female control (FC), and female on testosterone therapy (FTT). The FTT group received testosterone cypionate (3.0 mg/kg, i.m.), and the MC and MF groups received vehicle oil every 10 days for 4 months. Renal function and indirect systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements were evaluated at 6 months of age. Plasma and urine concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, osmolality, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. The kidneys were weighed, paraffin-embedded, and histological sections were prepared to evaluate the glomerular area. We verified that the FTT group, in comparison to FC, had increased kidney weight [MC, 3.2 ± 0.05; FC, 1.8 ± 0.04; FTT, 2.2 ± 0.06; g], decreased urine osmolarity [MC, 486.9 ± 18.3; FC, 1012.0 ± 5.4; FTT, 768.2 ± 40.3 mOsm/L/g kw], reduced GFR [MC, 0.77 ± 0.04; FC, 0.78 ± 0.02; FTT, 0.67 ± 0.03; mL/min/g kw], larger glomerular area [MC, 9334 ± 120.8; FC, 7884 ± 112.8; FTT, 9078 ± 133.4 µm2 ], and higher SBP [MC, 126 ± 3.4; FC, 119 ± 1.0; FTT, 131 ± 1.4; mmHg]. Sodium excretion was higher in FC and FTT in comparison to MC [MC, 0.34 ± 0.05; FC, 0.56 ± 0.06; FTT, 0.54 ± 0.04; mEq/24 h/g kw]. Cross-sex hormone therapy with testosterone in female rats induces renal morphofunctional changes and may underlie increased systolic pressure, suggesting an adaptation similar to what is observed in transmen on long-term testosterone therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Conte Kimura Lichtenecker
- Laboratory of Renal Physiology, Department of Physiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Argeri
- Laboratory of Renal Physiology, Department of Physiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Charlles Heldan de Moura Castro
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Magnus Regios Dias-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guiomar Nascimento Gomes
- Laboratory of Renal Physiology, Department of Physiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Silva ED, Fighera TM, Allgayer RM, Lobato MIR, Spritzer PM. Physical and Sociodemographic Features Associated With Quality of Life Among Transgender Women and Men Using Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:621075. [PMID: 34381383 PMCID: PMC8350045 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.621075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Gender dysphoria is defined as a feeling of distress resulting from the incongruence between the sex assigned at birth and the gender identity, lasting longer than 6 months. In individuals with gender dysphoria, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) may improve quality of life (QoL). Objectives: We aimed to assess perceived QoL, to compare QoL scores between trans women and men and to identify possible contributing factors related to GAHT in a sample of transgender women and transgender men. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, transgender women and men were recruited by availability sampling from a national transgender health service. Individuals over 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of gender dysphoria receiving medically prescribed GAHT for at least 6 months were consecutively included. Also included were trans men who had undergone mastectomy and trans women who had received breast augmentation surgery. Individuals who had undergone gender affirmation surgery (specifically genital surgery) or with uncontrolled clinical/psychiatric conditions at the time of the initial assessment were excluded. Sociodemographic, physical, and hormone data were collected from all participants. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to evaluate QoL. A total of 135 transgender individuals were invited. Seventeen individuals with previous genital surgery (12.6%) and five who refused to participate (3.7%) were excluded. Therefore, 113 patients were enrolled and completed the study (60 trans women and 53 trans men). Results: QoL scores did not differ between trans women and trans men. In trans women, greater breast development and stable relationships, and higher body mass index were associated with higher QoL domain scores. In trans men, higher domain scores were found in individuals in a stable relationship, with increased body hair, engaging in physical activity, and being employed. Conclusion: Data from this study suggest that GAHT-related physical characteristics, such as breast development in trans women and increased body hair in trans men, are similar between groups, are associated with higher QoL scores, and that sociodemographic parameters may impact these associations. Healthcare providers might consider these factors when planning interventions to improve QoL in transgender individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane D Silva
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tayane M Fighera
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Roberta M Allgayer
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês R Lobato
- Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Poli Mara Spritzer
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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6
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Wehrle L. [CME: Hormonal Therapy for Gender Incongruence and Gender Dysphoria]. Praxis (Bern 1994) 2020; 109:361-366. [PMID: 32233766 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
CME: Hormonal Therapy for Gender Incongruence and Gender Dysphoria Abstract. The discrepancy between the inherited gender and the perceived gender identity is called gender incongruity. In this article the major indications, contraindications and therapeutic steps for gender reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy are discussed and summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Wehrle
- Klinik für Reproduktions-Endokrinologie, Universitätsspital Zürich
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7
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Fighera TM, Ziegelmann PK, Rasia da Silva T, Spritzer PM. Bone Mass Effects of Cross-Sex Hormone Therapy in Transgender People: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Endocr Soc 2019; 3:943-964. [PMID: 31020058 PMCID: PMC6469959 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Context The impact of long-term cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) in transgender men and women is still uncertain. Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis and update the evidence regarding the effects of CSHT on bone mineral density (BMD) in transgender men and women. Data Sources Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase were searched for studies published until August 2018. Study Selection Of 10,849 studies, 19 were selected for systematic review. All included patients were aged >16 years and received CSHT with BMD assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Data Extraction Data on BMD, CSHT, and clinical factors affecting bone mass were collected. A National Institutes of Health scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Data Synthesis Nineteen studies were meta-analyzed (487 trans men and 812 trans women). In trans men, mean BMD difference compared with natal women was not significant in any site in either cross-sectional or before-after studies. In trans women, mean BMD difference was not significant compared with natal men at the femoral neck, total femur, and lumbar spine in cross-sectional studies; before-after studies reported a slight but significant increase in lumbar spine BMD after 12 and ≥24 months of treatment. Conclusions Long-term CSHT had a neutral effect on BMD in transgender men. In transgender women, only lumbar spine BMD seemed to be affected after CSHT. This evidence is of low to moderate quality as a result of the observational design of studies, small sample sizes, and variations in hormone therapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayane Muniz Fighera
- Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Klarmann Ziegelmann
- Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology and Department of Statistics, Institute of Mathematics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Thaís Rasia da Silva
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Poli Mara Spritzer
- Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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8
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Abdala R, Nagelberg A, Silveira F, Otero P, Mormandi E. [Short-term safety profile of cross-hormonal therapy in trans-male subjects]. Medicina (B Aires) 2018; 78:399-402. [PMID: 30504106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A trans-male (TM) is a biologically female person with male gender identity who wishes to acquire male sexual characteristics and fulfil a male social role. To achieve that purpose, both cross-hormonal therapy (CHT) and surgical phalloplasty can be used. We evaluated the short term (12 months) safety profile of CHT using different forms of testosterone available for prescription in Argentina. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the medical history of 30 trans-male patients fitting the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the population was 27 years. The mean basal serum level of testosterone was 0.43 ng/ml, which increased to 6.36 ng/ml (male hormonal levels). The hematocrit increased from a baseline of 40.0 to 45.2% (p < 0.01) and hemoglobin increased from 13.6 to 15.2 g/dl (p < 0.01). Total cholesterol remained stable with values of 175 and 185 mg/dl (p = 0.81). There were no significant changes in serum triglycerides: 88.3 and 102 mg/dl (p = 0.08). LDL increased in the first 6 to 12 months of CHT from 101.2 to 112.5 mg/dl (p = 0.17). At 12 months HDL levels increased from 50.1 to 52 mg/dl (p < 0.01). Hepatic enzymes remained stable. There is no available data regarding safety of testosterone use in TM in our country. In no case did we need to suspend the medication due to unwanted effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Abdala
- Instituto de Diagnóstico e Investigaciones Metabólicas (IDIM), Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail:
| | - Alberto Nagelberg
- División Endocrinología, Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Silveira
- Instituto de Diagnóstico e Investigaciones Metabólicas (IDIM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Otero
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Mormandi
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Goetz TG, Mamillapalli R, Devlin MJ, Robbins AE, Majidi-Zolbin M, Taylor HS. Cross-sex testosterone therapy in ovariectomized mice: addition of low-dose estrogen preserves bone architecture. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2017; 313:E540-E551. [PMID: 28765273 PMCID: PMC5792142 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00161.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cross-sex hormone therapy (XHT) is widely used by transgender people to alter secondary sex characteristics to match their desired gender presentation. Here, we investigate the long-term effects of XHT on bone health using a murine model. Female mice underwent ovariectomy at either 6 or 10 wk and began weekly testosterone or vehicle injections. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed (20 wk) to measure bone mineral density (BMD), and microcomputed tomography was performed to compare femoral cortical and trabecular bone architecture. The 6-wk testosterone group had comparable BMD with controls by DXA but reduced bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and cortical area fraction and increased trabecular separation by microcomputed tomography. Ten-week ovariectomy/XHT maintained microarchitecture, suggesting that estrogen is critical for bone acquisition during adolescence and that late, but not early, estrogen loss can be sufficiently replaced by testosterone alone. Given these findings, we then compared effects of testosterone with effects of weekly estrogen or combined testosterone/low-dose estrogen treatment after a 6-wk ovariectomy. Estrogen treatment increased spine BMD and microarchitecture, including bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and connectivity density, and decreased trabecular separation. Combined testosterone-estrogen therapy caused similar increases in femur and spine BMD and improved architecture (increased bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and connectivity density) to estrogen therapy and were superior compared with mice treated with testosterone only. These results demonstrate estradiol is critical for bone acquisition and suggest a new cross-sex hormone therapy adding estrogens to testosterone treatments with potential future clinical implications for treating transgender youth or men with estrogen deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teddy G Goetz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and
| | - Ramanaiah Mamillapalli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and
| | - Maureen J Devlin
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Amy E Robbins
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Masoumeh Majidi-Zolbin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and
| | - Hugh S Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; and
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10
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Klaver M, Dekker MJHJ, de Mutsert R, Twisk JWR, den Heijer M. Cross-sex hormone therapy in transgender persons affects total body weight, body fat and lean body mass: a meta-analysis. Andrologia 2016; 49. [PMID: 27572683 DOI: 10.1111/and.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Weight gain and body fat increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease. Cross-sex hormone therapy in transgender persons leads to changes in body weight and body composition, but it is unclear to what extent. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the changes in body weight, body fat and lean body mass during cross-sex hormone therapy in transgender persons. We searched the PubMed database for eligible studies until November 2015. Ten studies reporting changes in body weight, body fat or lean mass in hormone naive transgender persons were included, examining 171 male-to-female and 354 female-to-male transgender people. Pooled effect estimates in the male-to-female group were +1.8 kg (95% CI: 0.2;3.4) for body weight, +3.0 kg (2.0;3.9) for body fat and -2.4 kg (-2.8; -2.1) for lean body mass. In the female-to-male group, body weight changed with +1.7 kg (0.7;2.7), body fat with -2.6 kg (-3.9; -1.4) and lean body mass with +3.9 kg (3.2;4.5). Cross-sex hormone therapy increases body weight in both sexes. In the male-to-female group, a gain in body fat and a decline in lean body mass are observed, while the opposite effects are seen in the female-to-male group. Possibly, these changes increase the risk of cardiometabolic disease in the male-to-female group.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Klaver
- Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M J H J Dekker
- Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R de Mutsert
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University and Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J W R Twisk
- Department of Epidemiology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M den Heijer
- Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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