Salud ósea en personas transgénero / Bone health in transgender subjects

Una persona transgénero es aquella en la cual el género autopercibido difiere del asignado al nacer, mientras que el término cisgénero es utilizado en aquellos individuos no trans. El tratamiento hormonal cruzado (THC) constituye una opción para lograr caracteres sexuales secundarios deseados. Es conocido que los esteroides sexuales desempeñan un rol fundamental en la adquisición de la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) durante la pubertad. Por lo tanto, el impacto del THC sobre la masa ósea se ha convertido en materia de estudio. En estadios puberales tempranos, los análogos de la hormona liberadora de gonadotrofinas (GnRH) son utilizados con un efecto reversible. Si bien la DMO parece mantenerse estable, cuando se compara con una población de referencia del mismo sexo biológico y edad, el Z-score se encuentra por debajo de lo esperado. En adultos, durante el THC no se informaron disminuciones en la DMO. Está reportado que las mujeres trans antes del inicio del TH presentan características densitométricas diferentes de los hombres cisgénero. Hasta el momento, la carga de datos para los calculadores del riesgo de fractura y el software del equipo DXA se basan en el sexo biológico y no en identidad de género. Recientemente, la International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) emitió sus recomendaciones para la evaluación de la masa ósea en personas transgénero y en aquellos individuos no conformes con el género. Si bien la ISCD sugiere realizar la evaluación únicamente en aquellos pacientes con factores de riesgo, es de importancia realizar DXA basal, sobre todo en mujeres transgénero, para determinar el riesgo inicial de dicha población. En este artículo se revisa la evidencia disponible sobre el impacto del THC en la salud ósea de personas transgénero. (AU)

Cross sex hormone therapy (CSHT) in transgender women (TW) it is an option to achieve desired secondary sexual characteristics. It is known that sex steroids play a fundamental role in the acquisition of bone mineral density during puberty, in addition to determining a different characteristic bone pattern between both biological sexes. So the impact of affirming HT on bone is it has become in subject of study. In early pubertal stages, GnRH analogs are used with a reversible effect. Although bone mineral density (BMD) seems to remain stable, when compared with a reference population of the same biological sex and age, the Z-score is lower than expected. In adults, during CSHT no decreases in BMD were reported. However, it was reported that TW prior to starting CSHT present different densitometric characteristics than cisgender men. So far, the data load for the fracture risk calculators and DXA software is based on biological sex and not gender identity. Recently the ISCD issued its recommendations for the evaluation of bone mass in transgender subjects and in those non-conforming to gender. Although the ISCD suggests performing the evaluation only in those patients with risk factors, our group recognizes that baseline DXA, especially in TW, constitutes a useful tool to determine the initial risk of this population. Our proposal arises from our own experience and from that compiled in the international literature, where it is observed that even without starting CSHT, transgender women have lower BMD. DXA. This article reviews the available evidence regarding the effect of CSHT on health bone in transgender people. (AU)

Densidad mineral ósea y composición corporal en mujeres transgénero previamente al tratamiento hormonal cruzado: ¿hay diferencias con hombres cisgénero? / Bone mineral density and body composition in transgender females prior to cross-sex hormone treatment: is there any difference with cisgender males?

Se denomina transgénero mujer (TM) a un varón biológico con identidad de género femenina. El tratamiento hormonal cruzado (THC) es una de las opciones para lograr caracteres sexuales del género autopercibido. Realizamos un estudio de diseño transversal, observacional y analítico para evaluar la densidad mineral ósea, composición corporal y fuerza muscular antes de iniciar la hormonización. Un total de 26 TM en condiciones de ingresar en el estudio fueron comparadas con hombres cisgénero de similar edad (mediana 23,5 vs. 25,5 años). Basalmente, las TM presentaron menor densidad ósea en columna lumbar (1,040 vs. 1,280 g/cm2; p=0,01), cadera total (0,970 vs. 1,070 g/cm2; p=0,01) y cuerpo entero (1,080 vs. 1,220 g/cm2; p<0,01). Observamos, además, menor masa muscular en brazos (5,033 vs. 6,212 kg; p<0,01) y piernas (16,343 vs. 18,404 kg; p=0,02), acompañada de menor fuerza muscular de puño (p<0,01). Concluimos que las TM presentaron características diferentes de la biología masculina aun sin haber iniciado el THC. Sugerimos incluir la evaluación de la densidad mineral ósea en la evaluación inicial de esta población, dados los hallazgos identificados. (AU)

A trans-woman (TW) is a biologically male person with female gender identity. Cisgender denotes a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with its birth sex. Cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) is one of the options to achieve secondary characteristics of the self-perceived gender. We performed a cross-sectional study. Bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, and muscle strength before starting CSHT were assessed. Twenty-six TW (median age 23.5 years) and cisgender males (median age 25.5 years) were matched for age. TW had less BMD at the lumbar spine (1.040 vs 1.280 g/cm2; p=0.01), total hip (0.970 vs 1.070 g/cm2; p=0.01), and total body (1.080 vs 1.220 g/cm2; p<0.01). They also had less skeletal muscle mass in the arms (5.033 vs 6.212 kg; p<0.01) and legs (16.343 vs 18.404 kg; p=0.02), associated with lower grip strength (p<0.01). It appears that bone and muscle characteristics of TW before starting CSHT differ from cisgender men. Taking these findings into account, we suggest the inclusion of BMD in the initial evaluation of TW. (AU)

Biological and Psychological Influences of CrossSex Hormone in Transgender

@#Transgender is a complex state of bio-psycho-social dimension of human sexuality. It encompasses cognitive-emotional-behavior component that makes the person unique in his or her sexual expression. Transgender tend to use cross-sex hormone in order to eradicate their secondary sexual characteristics and to facilitate the shift to their experienced gender. The common masculinising sex hormone use, i.e. Female to Male Treatment Options (FMTO) is testosterone and for feminising hormone i.e. Male to Female Treatment Options (MFTO) is a combination of estrogen with anti-androgen, respectively. Cross-sex hormone, i.e. FMTO, or MFTO has biological and psychological influences on the transgender individuals. Nevertheless, cross-sex hormone may also pose a range of side effect profiles, varies from the biological to psychosocial impact. The psychological impact can be paramount until it causes severe mental-health problems and even suicide. Numerous ranges of bio-psycho-social influence of cross-sex hormone were highlighted in this review as fundamental core knowledge in the art to know practice when dealing with the treatment options. In psychiatry, the change in the biological appearance may have great influence in the transgender individual, especially in the context of psychosocial and cultural perspective

Perfil de seguridad a corto plazo de la terapia hormonal cruzada en trans-varones / Short-term safety profile of cross-hormonal therapy in trans-male subjects

Se denomina trans-varón (TV) a una persona de sexo biológico femenino con identidad de género masculino. Para adquirir caracteres sexuales y expresar un rol social semejante podría utilizarse: terapia hormonal cruzada (THC) y/o genitoplastia masculinizante. Se evaluó el perfil de seguridad a corto plazo (primer año) de la THC con las distintas formas farmacéuticas de testosterona disponibles en nuestro país. El estudio se realizó de manera retrospectiva, analizando las historias clínicas de 30 pacientes trans-varón que cumplían con los requisitos para ser incluidos. La edad media de la población fue de 27 años. La media basal de testosterona fue de 0.43 ng/ml, que luego aumentó a 6.36 ng/ml (valores normales para sexo masculino). El hematocrito incrementó de su valor basal 40.0 a 45.2% (p < 0.01) mientras la Hb de 13.6 a 15.2 g/dl (p < 0.01). El colesterol total se mantuvo estable con valores de 175 y 185 mg/dl (p = 0.81). No hubo cambios significativos en triglicéridos: 88.3 y 102 mg/dl (p = 0.08). El colesterol LDL incrementó en los primeros 6 a 12 meses de THC de 101.2 a 112.5 mg/dl (p = 0.17). A los 12 meses los niveles de colesterol HDL aumentaron de 50.1 a 52.0 mg/ dl (p < 0.01). Las enzimas hepáticas se mantuvieron estables. No existen datos en nuestro país sobre seguridad de la testosterona en TV. No tuvimos necesidad de suspender la medicación por efectos no deseados en los parámetros estudiados.

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.

Low estrogen doses normalize testosterone and estradiol levels to the female range in transgender women

OBJECTIVE: The ideal dosage of cross-sex hormones remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, estradiol and prolactin levels after low-dose estrogen therapy with or without cyproterone acetate in transgender women. METHODS: The serum hormone and biochemical profiles of 51 transgender women were evaluated before gonadectomy. Hormone therapy consisted of conjugated equine estrogen alone or combined with cyproterone acetate. The daily dose of conjugated equine estrogen was 0.625 mg in 41 subjects and 1.25 mg in 10 subjects, and the daily dose of cyproterone acetate was 50 mg in 42 subjects and 100 mg in one subject. RESULTS: Estrogen-only therapy reduced the testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels from 731.5 to 18 ng/dL, 6.3 to 1.1 U/L and 9.6 to 1.5 U/L, respectively. Estrogen plus cyproterone acetate reduced the testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels from 750 to 21 ng/dL, 6.8 to 0.6 U/L and 10 to 1.0 U/L, respectively. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, estradiol and prolactin in the patients treated with estrogen alone and estrogen plus cyproterone acetate were not significantly different. The group receiving estrogen plus cyproterone acetate had significantly higher levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase than the group receiving estrogen alone. No significant differences in the other biochemical parameters were evident between the patients receiving estrogen alone and estrogen plus cyproterone acetate. CONCLUSION: In our sample of transgender women, lower estrogen doses than those usually prescribed for these subjects were able to adjust the testosterone and estradiol levels to the physiological female range, thus avoiding high estrogen doses and their multiple associated side effects.