A 64-year-Old patient assigned male at birth with COPD and worsening dyspnea while on estrogen and antiandrogen agents

Abstract

Among patients with COPD, ventilatory inefficiency in response to exercise can be due to respiratory muscle dysfunction or expiratory flow limitation causing air-trapping and dynamic hyperinflation. We discuss a case of severe ventilatory limitation in response to exercise due to reduced respiratory muscle mass in the setting of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and how the interpretation of pulmonary function testing (PFT) and respiratory symptoms among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients can be influenced by GAHT.

Keywords

• Transgender
• Gender affirming care
• COPD
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• PFT
• Pulmonary function testing