Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Hematology reference intervals for transgender adults on stable hormone therapy.

BACKGROUND: The complete blood count (CBC) is a cornerstone of patient care. Several of the normal values for the components of the CBC differ by sex and, therefore, male-specific and female-specific reference intervals are required to interpret these laboratory results. Transgender individuals are often prescribed hormone therapy to affirm their gender, with resulting serum hormone concentrations similar to those of cisgender individuals. Gender-specific reference intervals for transgender men and women have not been established for any laboratory measurements, including hematology. We established clinically relevant hematological reference intervals for transgender individuals receiving stable hormone therapy.

METHODS: Healthy transgender individuals prescribed testosterone (n = 79) or estrogen (n = 93) for ≥12 months were recruited from internal medicine and primary care clinics that specialize in transgender medical care. Concentrations for hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCHC, and RDWCV, as well as counts for red cells, white cells, and platelets, were evaluated. Results were interpreted in reference to the overall distribution of values and relative to serum estradiol and total testosterone concentrations. Calculated reference intervals were compared to established cisgender reference intervals.

RESULTS: Regardless of serum hormone concentration, individuals prescribed testosterone or estrogen had hematology parameters that were not clinically different from cisgender males and females, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The hematology parameters for transgender men and women receiving stable hormone therapy should be evaluated against the cisgender male and cisgender female reference ranges, respectively and does not require concurrent sex hormone analysis. Care providers can utilize this observation to aid in interpretation of hematology laboratory values for transgender people.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app