Initiation and Maintenance of Low‐Dose Transdermal Testosterone in Non‐Binary Individuals: A Retrospective Audit
Authors' conclusion
Most non-binary individuals initiating low-dose transdermal testosterone continue doses lower than those recommended in current guidelines after 6-12 months of treatment. These hypothesis-generating findings highlight the need for studies evaluating the influence of low-dose testosterone on clinical outcomes and safety end-points.
Study context
- Population
- Non-binary individuals initiating low-dose transdermal testosterone with ≥ 6 months follow-up; median age 27 years (24–30)
- Participants
- 46 individuals
- Exposure
- Testosterone 1% gel vs Testosterone 5% cream
- Outcome
- Initiation and maintenance of low-dose testosterone: transdermal testosterone dose and serum total testosterone concentration
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Remained on low-dose testosterone
40
87%
Increased to full-dose testosterone
6
13%
Median duration of testosterone
14 months
9–24
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Median dose, testosterone 1% gel · initiation vs last follow-up
- At initiation
- 12.5 mg (12.5-25)
- At last follow-up
- 25 mg (20.4-37.5)
- Initiation vs last follow-up
- P < 0.01
Median dose, testosterone 5% cream · initiation vs last follow-up
- At initiation
- 50 mg (31.3-50)
- At last follow-up
- 50 mg (50-68.8)
- Initiation vs last follow-up
- P = 0.02
Serum total testosterone concentration
- Median
- 11 nmol/L (5.2-15.7)
Remaining on low-dose testosterone, subgroup with ≥ 12 months treatment (n = 30) · last follow-up
- Remained on low-dose testosterone
- 26 (87%)
Safety
Polycythemia (haematocrit > 0.5)
- Individuals with polycythemia
- 3 (7%)
Original publication
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