Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The effect of self-prescribed cross-sex hormone therapy on Male-to-Female (MtF) transgenders do not appear to have been well investigated and can be associated with potential serious longterm complications. The main purpose of this study is to look at the clinical and metabolic profile, and cardiovascular outcomes of MtF transgenders in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, done to determine the clinical and metabolic profile of Zamboanga-based MtF transgenders on either self-prescribed or on supervised cross-sex hormone therapy. Demographic and biochemical characteristics were taken as well as feminizing effects and cardiovascular outcomes (e.g. hypertention) were also documented 30 study participants aged 18 years and above.

Results: All respondents reported self-prescribed practices on cross-sex hormone therapy. Oral contraceptives pills (OCP) containing Ethinyl Estradiol 30 μg + Levonorgestrel 125 μg + Fe 75 mg was the most common hormone drug used based on recommendations by respondents’ friends (100%). Most respondents got their OCPs from pharmacies (60%) and public health centers (13%). Common side effects were decreased libido (100%), Breast pain (93%), acne (20%), mood swings (17%) and headaches (10%). Breast enlargement (100%), decreased morning erection (100%), decreased muscle mass (76%), smoother skin (70%), weight gain (66%) and change in voice (10%) were observed. Clinical profile of the study participant showed that 36% were overweight and 6.67% were obese, 60–70% were pre-hypertensive, and 10% have Hypertension. Metabolic profile revealed that respondents were in the pre-diabetics range (FBS 16%, 2 h 75 OGTT 40%, HbA1c 73%) and lipid profile showed 20% have borderline high LDL result and 3% have low HDL.

Conclusion: The result of this study showed that majority of MtF transgenders in Zamboanga peninsula not only self-prescribed cross-sex hormone, they tailor-make their own drug dose and administration on the basis of suggestions from friends who are not trained to do so. At least half of them experienced the desired feminization effects of the hormones. Impaired fasting glucose, elevated blood pressure and weight, and abnormalities in the lipid profile were common among the transgenders.