Androgen therapy for anemia in renal failure

Forty-six patients marked renal failure and anemia underwent androgen therapy (up to 500 mg/week), as well as intravenous injections of iron preparations (600-800 mg/month) and hemotransfusions (2500 ml/month) for 4 month. Ferrokinetic indices, total marrow cellularity and erythrocyte and hemoglobin levels were determined at the end of therapy. Androgens were responsible for the increase in Hb level by 1.2 g%. High total bone marrow cellularity was observed in these patients (27.4 +/- 3.2 X 10(9) cells/kg, compared with 14.1 +/- 1.4 X 10(9) cells/kg in normal individuals). Hemotransfusions resulted in a decrease of Hb level by 1.3g% and total bone marrow cellularity to 8.3 +/- 2.2 X 10(9) cells/kg. Ferrokinetic indices became poor. The data obtained are discussed.