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.