Testosterone in the management of cirrhosis of the liver--a controlled study

The results of the controlled study covering 21 cases of decompensated hepatic cirrhosis are repoted. Nine controls received conventional therapy with diuretics and vitamin supplement. Testosteron 100 mg intramuscularly, on alternate days for four weeks, was administered to 12 others, in addition to the conventional therapy. Patients in the testosterone group responded with reduction in ascites and pedal edema together with a subjective feeling of improvement. Serum albumin rose at the end of the four weeks while globulin fell in those that received the hormone. The difference in respect of both serum albumin and globulin in the testosterone group became statistically significant at the end of four weeks.