Body composition and bone mineral density in male-to-female transsexuals during cross-sex hormone therapy using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist.

OBJECTIVE: In transsexual people, cross-sex hormone therapy is an important component of medical treatment and results in a complete change in the sex hormone environment. Steroid hormones plays an important role in developing and maintaining bone mass and body composition in both sexes. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) during cross-sex hormone therapy in transsexuals using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists and intramuscular oestrogens. METHODS: 84 male-to-female transsexuals (MtFs) were treated with 10 mg oestradiol-17ß valerate every 10 days. The study population was treated with subcutaneous injections of 3.8 mg goserelin acetate every 4 weeks to suppress endogenous sex hormone secretion completely. Endocrine parameters, body composition and BMD after 12 months and after 24 months were compared with baseline values. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in gonadotrophins and testosterone, while oestradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, and high-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly after 12 and 24 months. There was a significant increase in body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and lumbar spine bone mineral density in MtFs during the study period, while lean mass decreased significantly and no effect was observed on femoral bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in BMI associated with a shift from lean mass to fat mass. There appears to be no risk of osteoporosis developing in MtFs when there is adequate oestrogen substitution, even in the absence of testosterone. Furthermore in comparison with hormone regimes using oral medications, the complication rates appear to be lower in patients receiving gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists and intramuscular oestrogens.

The effect of metformin treatment for 2 years without caloric restriction on endocrine and metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term changes in endocrine and metabolic parameters and body mass index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were treated with metformin over 2 years without caloric restriction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six obese women with PCOS were treated with metformin over 2 years without caloric restriction. Clinical, metabolic and endocrine parameters and the body mass index were measured and an oral glucose tolerance test was carried out to calculate insulin resistance indices at the beginning and at the follow-up after 2 years. The Homeostatic Model for Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. RESULTS: No significant changes in body mass index or HOMA-IR were observed. However, a significant decrease in fasting and 2-h insulin levels was observed. Women showed a significant increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, while total testosterone (TT) levels and the free androgen index decreased significantly. Furthermore a significant decrease in hirsutism was observed. There was a decrease in cholesterol and an increase in high-density lipoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with metformin in women with PCOS appears to reduce androgen excess due to increased SHBG and decreased TT levels resulting in improvement of hirsutism as a clinical sign of androgen excess. Furthermore a significant decrease in fasting and 2-h insulin levels and slightly improved insulin resistance indices were observed.