6898 A Case Report Of Drug-Induced Liver Injury Secondary To Sublingual Estradiol In A Transgender Woman
Authors: Manas F N U , Davydov Emily , Caines Allyce , Estrada Kathleen , Shill Jessica Eve 
Published: October 2024

Disclosure: F. Manas: None. E. Davydov: None. A. Caines: None. K. Estrada: None. J.E. Shill: None.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI), the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, occurs in response to a medication or natural compound. Estrogens can lead to idiosyncratic DILI. According to LiverTox [livertox.nih.gov], estrogen has a likelihood score of A (highly likely) to cause DILI, whereas spironolactone has a likelihood score of D (rare). The current formulations of estrogens usually produce a mixed or cholestatic pattern of liver enzyme elevations, however very early, the ALT levels can be markedly elevated (5- to 20-fold). One can be asymptomatic. Often the liver injury resolves after removing the offending agent. We present a case of DILI with elevations of both alanine transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST), secondary to sublingual estradiol (E2). A 23-year-old transgender female presented for feminizing gender-affirming care. She was started on sublingual E2 2 mg once daily and spironolactone 100 mg orally twice daily. Approximately 14 weeks later, sublingual E2 was increased to 2 mg twice daily for a below-target E2 level, and spironolactone was decreased to 50 mg twice daily due to gas and nausea. Routine blood work three weeks later showed elevated liver function tests (LFTs) in a hepatocellular pattern with ALT of 216 IU/L (normal:&lt;52IU/L), AST of 223 IU/L (normal:&lt;35 IU/L), with normal total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. LFTs were normal six months prior. At the time of liver injury, she had consumed six alcoholic beverages in the previous fourteen days, and two doses of acetaminophen. She had no personal history of autoimmunity and no family history of liver disease. Acute hepatitis screen was normal. Abdominal US with liver Doppler was unremarkable. E2 and spironolactone were discontinued. Evaluation by hepatology lead to a diagnosis of DILI from sublingual E2, based on the temporal relationship between initiation of E2 and LFT elevation. Other potential causes of elevated LFTs were excluded. Although she reported alcohol use, the AST/ALT elevation was not in a classic 2:1 pattern. Three weeks after cessation of E2 and spironolactone, her LFTs normalized. Spironolactone was resumed along with E2 by patch, but due to skin-adherence issues she was transitioned to injectable E2 valerate. Her LFTs have remained normal since. This case illustrates a rare but potentially dangerous adverse event of DILI secondary to sublingual E2. Due to the low incidence of liver injury in various studies of individuals with gender incongruence on hormone therapy, current evidence does not support routine liver enzyme monitoring. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of liver injury and counsel patients accordingly. As in this case, patients may be successfully rechallenged with the offending DILI medication. Further studies on different formulations of hormone therapy and their effects on the liver would be beneficial in this unique population.

Presentation: 6/2/2024