ISSN 1662-4009 (online)

ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology (2019) 16 12.10 | DOI: 10.1530/ey.16.12.10

ESPEYB16 12. Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Lipid Metabolism Metabolic Syndrome (5 abstracts)

12.10. Exogenous testosterone does not induce or exacerbate the metabolic features associated with PCOS among transgender men

Chan KJ , Liang JJ , Jolly D , Weinand JD & Safer JD



To read the full abstract: Endocr Pract 2018;24:565-572.

Summary: According to this retrospective chart review of 34 transgender men, testosterone therapy in this population, across a wide range of doses and over many years, did not result in the profile of dyslipidemia and dysglycemia that is observed in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Instead, treatment of transgender men with testosterone resulted in a shift of metabolic biomarkers toward the average physiological male.

Comment: PCOS in women is characterized by menstrual irregularity, metabolic derangement and increased androgen levels. It was suggested that the androgen excess aggravates cardiovascular and metabolic aberrations in these women.

In the current study, transgender men who received cross-sex hormone therapy with testosterone for 6 years showed no significant changes in levels of HbA1c, triglycerides and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. With increasing testosterone levels, BMI and HDL levels decreased significantly. Blood pressure was not assessed.

The findings of the current study have two important implications; firstly, treatment of transgender men with cross-sex hormone therapy is not associated with worsening of cardiovascular risk factors. Secondly, the findings might be extrapolated to imply that hyperandrogenism does not explain the metabolic derangements in PCOS.

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