#aster's science rambles

[thelastwhimzy]

omg y'all so i have been keeping an eye on how the search to find genes related to heds, as heds is the only form of eds that doesnt have a genetic marker. i just checked for the first time in awhile and it looks like they may've found a gene that contributed? it's klk15

some thoughts under the cut

it has been found that mutation in the klk15 gene can be associated with heds. some info/thoughts -

-klk15 is an androgen-mediated gene, meaning that androgens are what stabilize it

-people who naturally have more testosterone tend to be less likely to be diagnosed with heds and their joints are sometimes less effected

-some tme trans people who have gone on t saw a noticeable difference between their joint stability after starting t

-perhaps the klk15 gene is why people with more androgens (often considered men tho we know that's not always true bc trans and intersex ppl exist) tend to have somewhat more stable joints and are less likely to get diagnosed with heds

conclusion: maybe mutations in the gene present more severely in people with less natural androgens because its a gene that is MEDIATED by androgens and therefore not having that extra building block affects visibility due to less overtly unstable joints