Erythropoiesis and Erythropoietin in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure Treated with Hemodialysis and Testosterone

Abstract

Testosterone was administered to two patients with chronic renal failure (one patient was anephric) who were being treated with periodic hemodialysis. The hematocrit and plasma erythropoietin levels increased in the patient with kidneys so that blood transfusions could be discontinued. When testosterone administration was stopped the hematocrit diminished, and blood transfusions were reinstated. Withholding blood transfusions from the anephric patient resulted in progressive anemia that stabilized at hematocrit values of less than 20%. Plasma erythropoietin levels increased, and enumeration of bone marrow normoblasts, ferrokinetic studies, and linear profile scanning showed increased erythropoiesis in response to the fall in hematocrit. Results of these studies should encourage further investigation of the efficacy of androgens in ameliorating the anemia in patients with chronic renal failure who have periodic hemodialysis.