Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Outer-Boundary Assisted Segmentation and Quantification of Trabecular Bones by an Imagej Plugin
Published on: March 14, 2018
Bone geometry and trabecular bone score in transgender people before and after short- and long-term hormonal
Chantal M Wiepjes1, Mariska C Vlot2, Christel J M de Blok1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background:
Gender-affirming hormonal treatment (HT) in adult transgender people influences bone mineral density (BMD). Besides BMD, bone geometry and trabecular bone score are associated with fracture risk. However, it is not known whether bone geometry and TBS changes during HT.
Purpose:
To investigate the bone geometry and TBS in adult transgender people at different time points, up to 25 years, of HT.
Methods:
A total of 535 trans women and 473 trans men were included, who were divided into three groups at time of their DXA: 20-29 years, 30-39 years, and 40-59 years. Subsequently, each group was divided into different HT durations: baseline, or after 5, 15, or 25 years of HT. Hip structure analysis was performed to measure subperiosteal width, endocortical diameter, average cortical thickness, and section modulus. TBS was calculated based on lumbar spine DXA images.
Results:
In trans women in all age groups and in young trans men, no differences were observed in periosteal width, endocortical diameter, average cortical thickness, and section modulus for different durations of HT. In trans men aged 40-59 years, subperiosteal width, endocortical diameter, and section modulus were slightly higher in the groups who were using HT compared to the (peri- or postmenopausal) baseline group. In younger trans women, TBS tended to be higher in those using HT compared to the baseline groups, and in older trans women TBS was higher in those using HT for 25 years versus baseline (+0.04, 95%CI +0.00; +0.08). In younger trans men, TBS tended to be lower in those who used HT compared to the baseline groups, and in older trans men TBS was lower in those using 5 years HT versus baseline (-0.05, 95%CI -0.08; -0.01).
Conclusion:
No differences in cortical bone geometry parameters were found during different HT-durations. TBS increased in trans women and decreased in trans men, indicating that estrogens have positive effects on TBS. These data may be helpful in determining what sex reference values for calculating T-scores and Z-scores in adult transgender people should be used.
More Related Videos
09:09Treatment with Vancomycin Loaded Calcium Sulphate and Autogenous Bone in an Improved Rabbit Model of Bone Infection
Published on: March 14, 2019
06:59Author Spotlight: An Economic and Efficient Method for Quantitative Evaluation of Bone Microarchitecture in a Murine Osteoporosis Model
Published on: September 8, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:09Spongy Bone
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
01:27Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:12The Hyoid Bone
01:55Bone Structure