1
What does the research say?
We separate research findings from interpretation, policy, and practical advice.
HeldToStandard
Trust, but verify.
You should not have to become a researcher to understand your own healthcare.
HeldToStandard is a patient-facing platform for understanding medical trans care in Sweden. We explain what the research says, what Swedish standards of care say, and where the two do or do not match.
Every treatment profile shows where the information comes from.
2
How sure can we be?
We show whether the research is strong, limited, or still uncertain. Where it fits, we use GRADE to explain how certain the evidence is.
3
What do Swedish standards of care say?
We show where standards of care match the research, and where they differ.
Official standard
Included in Swedish national guidelines as a first-line feminizing treatment. Starting doses are adjusted based on blood levels and how the person responds.
What the research says
Moderate certainty
Several studies show similar feminizing effects. There is less long-term research on heart health and bone density.
Where standards and research differ
The guidelines say how often some blood tests should be checked, but the research does not always clearly support those exact time intervals.
Two paths, one foundation
Easy to understand and verify.
People should not have to choose between information they can understand and information they can check. HeldToStandard is built for both.
Understand
Clear language and practical explanations that help you understand your care without reading medical papers first.
Verify
Sources, methods, GRADE ratings, limits, and reasoning are available for anyone who wants to check how a treatment profile was built.
What we cover first
Starting in Sweden, with feminizing and masculinizing care.
The first version connects research, Swedish standards of care, and the rules that affect trans healthcare in Sweden.
- What treatments exist?
- What effects can they have?
- What does the research say?
- How sure can we be?
- What do Swedish standards of care require?
- Where do standards of care and research differ?
What HeldToStandard is not
Not another authority to accept blindly.
Does not replace care
HeldToStandard does not tell anyone what to do with their own care. It does not replace a clinician and does not claim to see the whole of anyone's situation.
Does not advise
A treatment profile describes the state of evidence and the regulatory position. It does not issue a recommendation in its own voice.