Effect of Androgens on the Blood Count of Men

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Abstract
Twelve individuals were treated with testosterone propionate, methyl testosterone, or both. Eight were eunuchoids without evidence of pituitary disease; 2 had hypogonadism with evidence of pituitary disorder; and 2 were sexually mature men. Observations on the erythro-cyte, Hb, hematocrit and leukocyte levels of the circulatory blood were made over periods varying from 1 mo.-8 yrs. Active treatment extended over more than 4 yrs. in some cases. The doses of methyl testosterone which were used varied from 50 mg. to 300 mg. per day, the latter over short periods. In 7 of the 8 eunuchoid patients without pituitary disease, there was a rise in erythrocyte, Hb and hematocrit levels with therapy or a fall on withdrawal of therapy, or both. The extent of rise of blood count was commonly from 4-5.5 million red cells or from 4.5-5.8 million red cells. The Hb levels rose from 71-100% (Haden-Hauser) in some instances. An increase in body wt. occurred during increase in blood counts, and there was no shift in white cell counts. A rise in blood count was accompanied by a rise in B.M.R. which approx. paralleled it. The changes in erythrocyte and Hb levels observed with androgen therapy are related to changes in the B.M.R. and perhaps other intimately connected metabolic shifts. Presumably a rapid form of change in the hematopoietic system has been reproduced which occurs more slowly in normal individuals during adolescence.