Gender‐affirming hormone therapy effect on cortisol levels in trans males and trans females
Authors' conclusion
Stimulated salivary cortisol levels decreased significantly after 6 months of GAHT in both male and female transgender subjects, possibly reflecting a decreased state of anxiety associated with treatment initiation. Additionally, basal and stimulated serum TC levels increased after hormonal treatment in the TF, probably secondary to the effect of oestrogen on cortisol-binding globulin.
Study context
- Population
- Transgender subjects initiating gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT)
- Participants
- 10 vs 8
- Exposure
- After 6 months of GAHT vs pretreatment
- Transgender males (TM)n = 10
- Transgender females (TF)n = 8
- Outcome
- Serum total, free and salivary cortisol levels at baseline and 20, 30 and 40 min after low-dose ACTH stimulation
- Follow-up
- Before and 6 months after GAHT initiation
Methodological detailslow-dose (1 µg) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test before and 6 months after GAHT
- Low-dose (1 µg) ACTH stimulation test before and 6 months after GAHT
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, 6 months GAHT vs pretreatment
- TM: serum total, free and salivary cortisol significantly lower at several time points after ACTH
- p < .05
- TM: overall salivary cortisol (SC) response (AUC) significantly lower
- p = .0053
- TF: basal total cortisol increased
- p < .01
- TF: basal ACTH levels significantly lower after hormonal therapy
- p < .001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Gender‐affirming hormone therapy effect on cortisol levels in trans males and trans females. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). Published 7 November 2023. doi:10.
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