Faculty mentor/PI email address
heather.dixon@va.gov
Keywords
transgender woman, obesity, hormone therapy, bariatric surgery, tirzepatide, weight management
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Case Report
Title: Challenges of Weight Management in a Transgender Woman Veteran
Authors/Institutions: Emily Sarett, OMS-II1; Heather Dixon, PharmD2
Abstract:
Introduction: Obesity is a growing concern among transgender individuals, influenced by hormone therapy and social determinants of health. Bariatric surgery is effective, but weight regain is common and understudied in this population. Case: A transgender woman with prior sleeve gastrectomy presented with weight regain despite multiple pharmacologic trials. Her Gender-affirming hormone therapy included estrogen and androgen suppression. Results: Following the initiation of tirzepatide, the patient achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (8.4% total body weight reduction) with normalization of hemoglobin A1c consistent with resolution of prediabetes and normalization in lipid profile. Conclusions: This case highlights the interaction between gender-affirming hormone therapy, metabolic outcomes, and pharmacologic weight management in transgender patients. Tirzepatide demonstrated effectiveness after failure of prior therapies. Current obesity management guidelines do not adequately address transgender populations, underscoring the need for individualized, multidisciplinary, and gender-affirming care approaches as well as further research in this underserved population. Acknowledgment: This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Wilmington VA Medical Center.
Keywords: transgender woman; veteran; obesity; weight management; tirzepatide; leuprolide; hormone therapy; bariatric surgery
1 Rowan University, Stratford, New Jersey, United States;
2 VA Medical Center Wilmington, Wilmington Delaware, United States
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Mental and Social Health
Challenges of Weight Management in a Transgender Woman Veteran
Case Report
Title: Challenges of Weight Management in a Transgender Woman Veteran
Authors/Institutions: Emily Sarett, OMS-II1; Heather Dixon, PharmD2
Abstract:
Introduction: Obesity is a growing concern among transgender individuals, influenced by hormone therapy and social determinants of health. Bariatric surgery is effective, but weight regain is common and understudied in this population. Case: A transgender woman with prior sleeve gastrectomy presented with weight regain despite multiple pharmacologic trials. Her Gender-affirming hormone therapy included estrogen and androgen suppression. Results: Following the initiation of tirzepatide, the patient achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (8.4% total body weight reduction) with normalization of hemoglobin A1c consistent with resolution of prediabetes and normalization in lipid profile. Conclusions: This case highlights the interaction between gender-affirming hormone therapy, metabolic outcomes, and pharmacologic weight management in transgender patients. Tirzepatide demonstrated effectiveness after failure of prior therapies. Current obesity management guidelines do not adequately address transgender populations, underscoring the need for individualized, multidisciplinary, and gender-affirming care approaches as well as further research in this underserved population. Acknowledgment: This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Wilmington VA Medical Center.
Keywords: transgender woman; veteran; obesity; weight management; tirzepatide; leuprolide; hormone therapy; bariatric surgery
1 Rowan University, Stratford, New Jersey, United States;
2 VA Medical Center Wilmington, Wilmington Delaware, United States