Visceral adipose tissue and liver fat on 17-beta estradiol-dominant gender-affirming hormone therapy: A US-based cohort - Summary - MDSpire

Visceral adipose tissue and liver fat on 17-beta estradiol-dominant gender-affirming hormone therapy: A US-based cohort

  • By

  • Ria Talathi

  • Vencel Juhasz

  • Matilda Delgado

  • Thiago Quinaglia

  • Azin Ghamari

  • Melissa Wang

  • Iad Alhallak

  • Sarah Stinebaugh

  • Sophia Campbell

  • Sara L Stockman

  • Mustafa A Ozturk

  • Sadia M Ahmadi

  • Sara E Looby

  • Hang Lee

  • Tonia C Poteat

  • Lidia S Szczepaniak

  • Markella V Zanni

  • Tomas G Neilan

  • Mabel Toribio

  • December 12, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To characterize the metabolic effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), which consists of estradiol and anti-androgen therapy.

Key Findings:
  • No change in VAT mass and volume after 12 months.
  • Increased lumbar, total hip, and femoral bone density.
  • No change in insulin sensitivity.
  • hTG decreased by a median of -0.2% (P = .03).
  • Total lean body mass and appendicular lean body mass/height2 decreased.
  • Systemic triglyceride levels increased; HDL and LDL cholesterol levels remained unchanged.
  • Median age of participants was 26 (20, 30) years.
Interpretation:

Key indices of metabolic health, such as VAT and insulin sensitivity, did not change after 12 months of GAHT, indicating a need for further investigation into metabolic health outcomes.

Limitations:
  • Small sample size of 26 participants.
  • Single-site study may limit generalizability.
  • Participants excluded with prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes, which may affect the applicability of findings.
Conclusion:

Awareness of the metabolic effects of GAHT may lead to strategies aimed at mitigating sarcopenia risk, such as targeted exercise and nutritional interventions.

Original Source(s)

Visceral adipose tissue and liver fat on 17-beta estradiol-dominant gender-affirming hormone therapy: A US-based cohort

  • by Ria Talathi, Vencel Juhasz, Matilda Delgado, Thiago Quinaglia, Azin Ghamari, Melissa Wang, Iad Alhallak, Sarah Stinebaugh, Sophia Campbell, Sara L Stockman, Mustafa A Ozturk, Sadia M Ahmadi, Sara E Looby, Hang Lee, Tonia C Poteat, Lidia S Szczepaniak, Markella V Zanni, Tomas G Neilan, Mabel Toribio

  • December 12, 2025

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