Effects of testosterone treatment on transgender males: A single-institution study.
SAGE Open Med 2021;
9:20503121211051546. [PMID:
34659767 PMCID:
PMC8511909 DOI:
10.1177/20503121211051546]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
Data regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy in the Asian population are
sparse. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of testosterone therapy
in transgender men.
Methods:
A retrospective study chart review was conducted in a single university-based
transgender clinic. Transgender men aged >18 years who newly started
testosterone therapy during January 2015 to October 2019 were recruited.
Physical changes, laboratory results, and adverse events, including cancer,
thromboembolism, cardiovascular events, and death after masculinizing
hormone therapy, were evaluated.
Results:
A total of 39 transgender men (mean age: 27.8 ± 6.0 years) were included. All
individuals were treated with intramuscular testosterone injection with a
mean follow-up of 25.2 ± 12.9 months. The most common maintenance regimen
was testosterone enanthate 250 mg every 4 weeks. Masculinizing effects
developed in all transgender men. There were no changes in body weight, and
systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Hematocrit levels were 12%
significantly increased from 39.9 ± 3.3% to 48.9 ± 2% (p < 0.001). Ten
individuals (25.6%) had hematocrit >50%. Significant changes were found
in decreased fasting plasma glucose, increased creatinine, and increased
uric acid levels. A non-significantly increased alanine aminotransferase,
increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and decreased high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol were observed. No thromboembolism, cancer, stroke,
or coronary artery disease occurred.
Conclusions:
Gender-affirming hormone therapy is an effective and safe short-term
treatment in Thai transgender men. Apart from the standard recommendation,
uric acid, plasma glucose, and creatinine level evaluation before and during
masculinizing hormone therapy are rational practices. An intramuscular
testosterone enanthate 250 mg every 4 weeks is an alternative masculinizing
regimen with decent efficacy and safety profile.
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