Changes in Kidney Hemodynamics During Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender Individuals - Findings from the KNIGHT Pilot Study

The KNIGHT pilot study investigated kidney hemodynamic changes in transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). The study included 23 individuals assigned male at birth receiving feminizing hormone therapy and 21 individuals assigned female at birth receiving masculinizing hormone therapy. Results showed that feminizing hormone therapy led to an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by 2.8 mL/min per 1.73m², likely due to afferent vasodilation, while masculinizing hormone therapy resulted in a slight, nonsignificant decrease in GFR. These findings suggest that sex hormones influence kidney hemodynamics, particularly during feminizing hormone therapy.