Background Cross-sex hormone therapy (CHT) is known to lead to alterations in the cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF).

Purpose To assess changes in lipid profile and other CVRF in transsexual participants receiving CHT.

Material and methods Retrospective longitudinal study. We evaluated individuals with gender identity disorder following CHT, assisted in the Gender Identity Unit from 2015 to 2017. The primary endpoint was lipid profile change from baseline at 24 months. Secondary endpoints included change in body mass index (BMI), weight, blood pressure (BP) and glycaemic parameters. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Statistics 20.0: the Student t-test to compare means for paired quantitative data and Chi-square for qualitative variables.

Results Forty transsexuals, 19 male-to-female (MtF: 47.5%) and 21 female-to-male (FtM: 52.5%). Mean age 23.86±11.25 years, mean duration of CHT 24.7±39.9 months. Mean age and mean duration of CHT was similar in both groups.

In the MtF group, weight and BMI increased significantly, from 72.12±19.04 to 75.17±19.96 kg (p=0.01) and from 23.84±5.79 to 25.02±5.85 kg/m² (p=0.02), respectively, as well as diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (from 71.80±15.59 to 75.6±14.72 mmhg (p=0.03)) and triglycerides (TG) (from 102.90±83.69 to 108.81±88.37 mg/dl (p=0.035)). FtM transsexuals also presented an increase in weight (70.02±11.14 to 72.17±11.17 kg (p=0.02) and BMI (from 24.03±4.04 to 25.32±4.11 kg/m² (p=0.035)). No significant differences in lipid profile and blood pressure were observed in this group, even though final levels were all within the normal range. No significant differences were observed with regard to gender (MtF vs. FtM).

Conclusion MtF transsexuals experienced alterations in weight, serum lipid profile and diastolic BP because of CHT, while FtM only experienced changes in weight and BMI, although final levels were all within the normal range. No significant differences were observed with regard to gender (MtF vs. FtM). We suggest that clinicians should monitor glucose and lipid metabolism and blood pressure regularly, according to established guidelines.

No conflict of interest