The Impact of Testosterone in Gender-Affirming Care on Transgender Men's Immune Function

Gender-affirming care has profound implications for transgender men, particularly concerning testosterone therapy and immune response. A recent study conducted in Sweden aimed to investigate how testosterone affects the immune systems of 23 transgender men aged 18 to 37 over 12 months.

Study Overview and Findings

Initial blood samples established baseline testosterone levels before the subjects began hormone therapy. After three months of testosterone treatment, levels comparable to cisgender men were observed, accompanied by decreased estradiol and progesterone levels.

Effects on Immune Responses

• Type I interferon levels: A reduction was noted after 12 months, affecting the body’s response to viral infections.
• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway: Increased signaling pathways were observed, potentially enhancing bacterial infection responses.

Expert Insights and Cautions

Study co-author Petter Brodin highlighted that while immune profiles change towards those of cisgender men, this does not automatically correlate with increased infection susceptibility. Experts, including Dawn Newcomb and Nils Landegren, emphasize the need for larger studies to mitigate risks associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy.

For further details, please consult the original research publications and health news sources.