Physiologic changes to cross hormone therapy in transgender youth

The Division of Adolescent Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides care for approximately 100 transgender youth between the ages of 11 and 25. Employing an interdisciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and case managers, the program helps transgender youth resolve the discordance between their assigned gender and their gender identity. Gender dysphoria, low self-worth and societal marginalization leave transgender adolescents at significantly higher risk for drug abuse, suicide, depression, violence, HIV, STIs and homelessness. The field of transgender care has rapidly expanded over the past few years, making it more imperative than ever that the implications of treatment be well understood. Although protocols have been developed regarding hormonal therapy for transgender patients, little evidence-based data has been published regarding the effects of these protocols. This study aims to describe the current population of transgender youth seen at the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and their specific physiologic changes to cross hormone therapy. Specific indices will include blood pressure, weight, height, BMI, breast tissue growth (in female transyouth) and certain laboratory values one year after initiation of cross sex hormonal therapy. This study aims to provide pilot data that could lead to the development of a larger longitudinal study of the impact of an interdisciplinary team treatment approach on transgender youth.