Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Thyroid hormone (TH) replacement therapy in patients with central hypothyroidism (CHT) cannot be reliably guided by TSH levels. Guidelines suggest substitution doses between 1.2–1.6 µg/kg body weight, aiming for free thyroxine levels (fT4) prior to intake in the upper part of normal. However, variability in TH metabolism, concomitant treatments and inaccurate interpretation of TSH levels still puts patients with CHT at risk for inappropriate substituti...

Background: The effect of testosterone on sexual arousal has been described in testosterone withdrawal and re-adminstration studies in birth-assigned males. In birth-assigned females, the relationship between sex steroids and sexual arousal is complex. Several steps in the transitioning process may affect sexual desire: hormone therapy (HT) and gender affirming surgery. HT in transgender men (TM) generally leads to increased sexual desire, masturbation frequency, sexual fantas...

Background: Testosterone therapy in transgender men (TM) is aimed at achieving serum testosterone levels in the male reference range. It remains unknown if serum oestradiol levels in TM should be evaluated and/or adjusted. Although reported serum oestradiol levels in TM are variable in the current literature, these values may be affected through two possible mechanisms: serum oestradiol levels may increase through aromatization of exogenous testosterone, while the effects of e...

Objective: Hormonal treatment in trans women (MtF transgender persons) in Europe usually consists of estrogens and anti-androgens, e.g. cyproterone acetate (CPA). After initiation of cross-sex hormone therapy, an elevation in serum prolactin levels is frequently observed in trans women, which was previously attributed to estrogen agents. This analysis evaluates whether CPA contributes to the elevation of prolactin in trans women receiving cross-sex hormones.<p class="abste...

Background: Gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender persons induces secondary characteristics of the experienced gender. However, androgens and estrogens are also thought to be involved in insulin sensitivity and research suggests a dose-dependent risk for developing insulin resistance when administrated in supraphysiological doses.Aims: To assess the influence of gender-affirming hormone therapy on glucose metabolism in transg...

Objectives: Gender affirming hormonal and/or surgical care is associated with reduced fertility. Over the last years, the options for transgender persons to fulfill their child wish have increased. Previous research (mainly focused on transgender persons visiting health care professionals) on fertility in transgender persons assigned female at birth (AFAB) shows low fertility preservation utilization. Ideas and concerns of AFAB transgender persons regarding fertility preservat...

Objectives: Transgender persons undergoing gender affirming hormonal and/or surgical care, are at risk of reduced fertility. Although theoretically, the options for assigned male at birth (AMAB) transgender people to fulfill their child wish are extensive, research in transgender women shows low fertility preservation utilization. Ideas and concerns of AMAB transgender persons regarding fertility preservation and child wish have never been reported in a large, non-clinical sam...

Background: Canonical Wnt-signalling is important for bone by regulating osteoblastogenesis and osteoblast function. Bone metabolism is also partly determined by sex steroid exposure and sex differences in serum sclerostin levels have been reported. However, it is unclear whether serum sclerostin and other circulating Wnt-signalling components are sex steroid dependent within healthy men.Objective: To determine whether serum sclerostin, osteoprotegerin (...

Introduction: Anger is an emotional state of feelings varying from mild irritation to intense rage, whereas aggression implies externalizing angry emotions through destructive/ punitive behavior towards other persons/objects. Although research on the relationship between testosterone and aggression is inconclusive, the WPATH SOC 7 guidelines have warned for an increase in aggression in transgender men (TM) taking testosterone treatment.Aims:<p class=...

ObjectivesThe European Network for Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI) is a multicenter prospective cohort study. All participants receive a standardized gender affirming treatment (GAHT) protocol including regular follow-up. The current study compared changes in androgens upon starting GAHT and during follow-up in transgender women (TW) with or without gonadectomy by investigating serum total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT...