Among people taking testosterone as part of gender-affirming care, most don’t develop dangerously high red blood cell counts — only a small number go above normal levels, so it’s not a common problem.

35

Pro

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Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

35

Community contributions welcome

35

Erythrocytosis Is Rare With Exogenous Testosterone in Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2024 Apr 19

This study looked at thousands of people taking testosterone for gender affirmation and found that only a small number had unusually high red blood cell levels — so high levels are rare, just like the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Erythrocytosis Is Rare With Exogenous Testosterone in Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.

Score: 35

DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad651

Similar Assertions

When people take testosterone as part of gender-affirming care, their blood can get a bit thicker from more red blood cells, but even at its highest, it’s still in a safe, normal range — so serious thickening of the blood is uncommon.

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0

95%

Giving someone testosterone can make their body produce more red blood cells, which thickens the blood; if the blood gets too thick, it might increase the chance of dangerous blood clots.

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35

71%