Effects of Cross-sex Hormone Treatment on Cardiac Function, Myocardial and Hepatic Fat Content

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA · Jan 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of cross-sex hormone treatment on heart health and fat levels in the liver and heart among transgender individuals. Specifically, it aims to understand how high-dose hormone therapy affects cardiovascular health in male-to-female (MtF) and female-to-male (FtM) participants. The study will involve two MRI scans—one before starting hormone treatment and another after six months of treatment—to look for any changes in heart function and fat content.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be over 18 years old and have a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. Those who have taken hormone medications or certain other treatments in the past two months, or who have specific health conditions, may not qualify. Participants can expect to undergo two MRI scans and an oral glucose tolerance test to measure how their body responds to sugar, all while receiving hormone therapy for a total of 12 months. This research is important because it seeks to provide clearer insights into how hormone therapy can affect heart health and fat distribution, which could improve care for transgender individuals undergoing such treatments.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • DSM-IV diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder
• • age over 18 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • age under 18 years severe neurological or internal diseases
• • steroid hormone treatment within 2 months prior to inclusion (including birth control pill, phytohormones)
• • treatment with psychotropic agents such as SSRIs
• • any implant or stainless-steel graft
• • abnormal values in routine laboratory screening or general physical examination
• • current substance abuse (determined using drug screening at the screening visit)
• • pregnancy (determined at screening visit and first MRI scan)
• • failure to comply with the study protocol or to follow the instructions of the investigating