In the realm of gender-affirming care, hormone therapy plays a pivotal role in aligning an individual's physical characteristics with their gender identity, and the primary goal remains to achieve optimal physiological levels for the desired gender. How do weight and height impact hormone production and metabolism?

Research indicates that body weight can influence natural hormone production in several ways. For instance, being underweight can lead to reduced hormone production and even the cessation of ovarian function in individuals assigned female at birth. Conversely, being overweight can result in increased estrogen production from fat cells, which may affect hormone levels in anyone undergoing hormone therapy.

Height can indirectly influence the dosage of hormone medication. This is because taller individuals tend to have a larger body mass, which can affect how hormones are distributed and metabolized. As a result, even if their weight is similar, taller people may require slightly different dosages than shorter ones to get their hormone levels into the normal physiological range.

Blood test results and hormone levels remain the primary guide for dosage adjustments, and measuring and maintaining these gives the best results. The most important thing is to prioritise adjusting medication dosages based on blood test results and ensure that hormone levels fall within the appropriate physiological range for the individual's affirmed gender.