Androgens in the anaemia of chronic renal failure.
Plasma levels of testosterone-like substances (TLS) were depressed in seven patients with chronic renal failure. Intramuscular testosterone (as Sustanon 250 once a week) elevated plasma TLS levels to above normal throughout the week with an initial high peak. Sublingual testosterone produced a high but brief peak in TLS. Results were similar in renal failure patients and normal controls. A controlled trial of weekly Sustanon 250 in 24 regular dialysis patients produced a significant increase in haemoglobin from 6.8 to 8.2 g/dl. Side effects were mainly mild and acceptable but one patient developed priapism and another a large haematoma. The discriminate use of androgens is recommended for anaemic male patients on regular haemodialysis.
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011317:Priapism / Q000139:chemically induced; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D013739:Testosterone