ADLM Releases First National Laboratory Guidance for Gender-Diverse Care

Gender-affirming hormone therapy can significantly alter results for common tests involving cardiac, kidney, and liver health, often leaving clinicians unsure whether a value represents a medical issue or an expected physiological shift. Current electronic health record systems frequently lack the flexibility to track organ inventories, potentially causing patients to miss critical preventative screenings. To bridge this gap, ADLM assembled a multidisciplinary team of pathologists, endocrinologists, and clinicians to standardize diagnostic interpretation.

The guidance shifts focus away from rigid, one-size-fits-all reference intervals, encouraging a holistic assessment of a patient's physiology and hormone levels. A central recommendation is the adoption of an organ inventory checklist within health records, which provides a clear roadmap for screening and diagnostic accuracy. The document also sets new standards for sensitive clinical practices, including specific protocols for transfusion medicine and the use of affirmed identities in autopsy reporting. By moving beyond traditional binary models, the association aims to support clinicians in providing precise, patient-centered care for those undergoing gender-affirming treatments.