Exogenous estrogen effect on lipid/lipoprotein cholesterol in transsexual males.
Lipid/lipoprotein cholesterol values and sex-hormone-binding globulin levels were determined in 40 transsexual males aged 20-38, 20 castrated and 20 non-castrated, taking conjugated estrogens to induce female characteristics. Variables controlled included dose of estrogen, age, weight, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise and diet history. Transsexual males on estrogens had significantly higher mean (+/- SE) HDL cholesterol levels (69.0 +/- 7.1 mg/dl) respectively, for castrated males and (53.8 +/- 6.2 mg/dl) for non-castrated males, respectively compared to normal control males not on hormonal therapy (41.5 +/- 5.4) (p less than 0.001), regardless of dose of estrogen received. The total cholesterol/HDL ratio was 3.31-4.05 in transsexual males on estrogens compared to 5.03 for normal males (p less than 0.001). Transsexual males had mean SHBG levels in the female range (63.4 to 71.8 nmol/ml), significantly higher than controls (26.7 nmol/ml) (p less than 0.001). SHBG levels were correlated with estrogen use, dose and HDL cholesterol levels. We conclude that exogenous estrogens administered to transsexual males results in a female pattern of lipid/lipoprotein cholesterol and SHBG concentration. The decreased total cholesterol/HDL ratio may imply a lower atherogenic potential and a lessened cardiovascular risk in males who take estrogens.
Damewood
M D
MD
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Bellantoni
J J
JJ
Bachorik
P S
PS
Kimball
A W
AW
Rock
J A
JA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D002369:Castration; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004967:Estrogens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol