174. Chromosomes
So these “facts” are what I just picked up from my trundlings about the internet, and now I’m worried I’ve got it wrong. Have I made a terrible assumption? I looked for more info, and found that figures vary significantly. Some studies say MTF trans folk are as common as 1 in 500. I also found that some chromosomal sex anomalies are about 1 in 2,000. But figures vary enough that I could easily argue that trans* folk are less common than chromosomal sex anomaly-bearing folk.
I have met far more people who’ve come out to me as trans* than I’ve met who’ve come out to me as having a chromosomal sex anomaly. (Only one of the latter, so far.) None of the trans* people told me that they had a chromosomal sex anomaly, and vice versa. But of course my sample is wildly biased, and I’m imagining that most people with a chromosomal sex anomaly don’t find out until later in life.
What I do know is, my doctor says that I am required to have a chromosome test to continue getting treatment for my gender dysphoria. I am not sure whether I am intrigued or pissed off.
Share in the comments, if you feel so inclined. Are you trans*? Are your chromosomes something other than XX or XY? If your chromosomes are feeling a little creative in this way, have you experienced gender dysphoria? If you’re trans*, have you had your chromosomes tested?
The infrequency of my comics is down to being… distracted? I am seeking diagnosis for Asperger’s Syndrome, and it’s also pretty clear that whatever’s going on is making me pretty much non-functional most of the time so I’m also trying to get on DLA. I’m hoping that if I can get a little financial help I’ll start getting better instead of worse. That would be lovely. 🙂
I hope you’re all doing well, and I’ll try and post something polyamory-related as and when it jumps to my attention.
I have never heard of chromosome testing being done on a trans person in the U.S. as a requisite for treatment. Maybe it happens? But it’s not standard.
Mostly what I’ve heard, and this seems true in my experience, is that the overwhelming majority of people never have their chromosomes tested, so they don’t actually know their chromosomal make-up. And many (maybe even most?) chromosomal anomalies have no external manifestation.
I would definitely wonder why that was deemed necessary. :-/
I am definitely wondering. Perhaps it’s for research? Like, to gather proper figures on how many trans* folk have genetic weirdness on their sex chromosomes?
If it’s for research, though, you’d think you’d need to give your consent.
And I’ve never heard of this in the UK either :/
Because of the thing that’s probably Asperger’s, I assumed that the test was compulsory, but perhaps I misjudged the doctor’s tone of voice? I’m getting treatment in London, but it’s Swansea that requires the chromosome test. I will ask for further clarification. I will get the test anyway though, because lots of chromosome problems lead to health complications later in life.
either way it is possible that the doctor was presenting something as obligatory and lying, because doctors frequently do not treat trans* people as people.
I live in the US and know a cis person whose doctor recommended a chromosome test. While the doctor thought it necessary, the insurance company didn’t and refused to pay for it after the fact. The test was very expensive. I’m not sure how your insurance works but be extra sure that it will be covered.
I am lucky enough to live in a country where healthcare is automatically free. Having said that, this is really useful information for anyone who doesn’t get free healthcare, so thank you for mentioning it.
Trans dude in the States here, and that is the first I have heard of mandatory chromosomal testing as a basis or outcome of any gender-based treatment.
As far as I know my chromosomes is correct as well… that is just strange. Definitely ask about it, and good luck with everything 🙂
Ugh, chromosome testing *should not* be mandatory before treatment for gender dysphoria. It’s like any test that can reveal health problems, it needs to be taken only with informed consent. I’m fairly sure that you could refuse to take it and still get treated, since hormones etc. will have the same effects regardless of your chromosomes. (Incidentally, I have Asperger’s and I know exactly what you mean about difficulty of interpreting implied statements by doctors.)
OTOH, I was quite interested in having a chromosome test and wasn’t given the option of having one. (I’m a genderqueer trans woman.)
Re: the prevalence of sex-related chromosomal anomalies, I don’t think anyone really knows. It’s really just an assumption that they are rare, not backed up by any good science. To find that out you’d need a study with an unbiased sample population; just testing people with fertility problems or externally visible differences in sexual characteristics, or trans people, is not going to tell you that.
I can’t find the source now (lost the bookmark when my old comp crashed) but I read somewhere that approximately 1 in 100 people do not fit cleanly with in biological male/female binary. I have no idea how this related to genetic anomalies because there can be lots of things that cause gender anomalies which are not genetic.
The ISNA gives statistics on various forms intersex can take here: http://www.isna.org/faq/frequency
the ISNA does not give rates for frequency of intersex given the difficulty in defining what does or does not qualify as intersex.
(Apologies for any less than appropriate language choices – I don’t mean to be offensive but I’m not able to think clearly enough to be sure I’m phrasing things well.)
Thank you, Jessica and David-Sarah – much interesting stuff to ponder. Appreciated.
[Am genderqueer, have accessed aspects of medical transition on the NHS.]
I never had to have a chromosome test. I did, however, get told a lot of bullshit about requirements at the PCT end of things. I suspect shenanigans, and in your place I would be asking the doctor some pointy questions.
honestly, i can´t see what chromosomes have to do with a persons sexual identity – i know the cousin of a friend grew up perfectly normal as any other girl, ok so she was never the most curvy, but hey not all girls are born looking like pam anderson, right? thing is, by the time she was about 18 one of her doctors thought to ask about her period and was stunned to learn she never had one, thinking she was a really late bloomer. tons of (costly, painful)testing for goddess knows what sicknesses later it turned out that she wasn´t bleeding simply because she had no uterus+ovaries to go with her vagina – but no hidden male parts either. nevertheless, while her hormones are somehow more female than male, she´s genetically XY aka 100% male…but feeling like a normal woman. it threw everyone for a loop, i can tell you. poor thing is still in therapy trying to figure out WHAT she is now – all because some docs told her that she´s supposed to be a guy due to her genes. screw those bastards! one of those wanted to test me too a while back, just because my period is erratic at best and i have a few whiskers growing under my chin but i didn´t let him. who cares about this nonsense? i am ME and i love people no matter what gender/genetics they have!
the whole thing reminds me too much of the idiotic ‘XYY-males are all psychopaths and should be locked up’ discussion or worse, the genetic engineering to create super-humans tried by the nazis. bottom line is, unless there´s a valid medical reason chromosomes shouldn´t be tested – and NO ONE should be forced to have his chromosomes tested to satisfy some scientists curiosity.
Giving docs the benefit of the doubt – there are a few genetic anomalies in the so-called sex chromosomes that can cause health problems. Similarly, lack of period can be caused by some fairly nasty things, like ovarian cancer, so when there is first a sign that something isn’t ‘normal’ docs tend to assume health issues (They spend 6 months studying the body when it works right and 7 years studying all the ways things can go wrong.)
However, they are shitty as respecting a persons right to refuse testing, and many (though not all) have inappropriate reactions to finding a genetic anomaly, which can cause lots of problems for their patients.
Trans: MtF.
AS: Yes.
Have ever been asked to take a chromosome test: Not to my memory.
I have/have had some irregularities that could be explained by chimerism, but most of them evened out after I’d been on HRT for a while, and my only actual knowledge regarding humans with tricolour hair is that we’re considered untrustworthy in Scotland. Considering it doesn’t seem to be associated with Down Syndrome or Turner Syndrome, I’m guessing we have a different biological cause than tortoiseshell cats.