EVALUATION OF RED BLOOD CELL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Abstract

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is widely prescribed for men with hypogonadism, but it may raise hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (packed cell volume – PCV) levels, favoring erythrocytosis, increased blood viscosity and vaso-occlusive events. This study aimed to evaluate Hb and PCV values in patients undergoing TRT, comparing them with those of age-matched men not using the therapy, and to assess the occurrence of anemia and of marked elevation of these parameters. This is a retrospective study using medical record data from a private urology clinic in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil from 2022 to 2023. A total of 253 patients were studied, 69 on TRT and 184 controls, with similar ages (p=0.24). Mean Hb was 16.2 ± 1.61 g/dL in the TRT group and 15.4 ± 1.31 g/dL in the control group (p<0.0001), and mean PCV was 47.1 ± 4.70% and 45.1 ± 3.83% (p=0.0023), respectively. Hb above 16.5 g/dL occurred in 46.1% of TRT users and in 17.9% of controls. Men on TRT showed higher Hb and PCV values than non-users, with a low prevalence of anemia, which reinforces the need for periodic hematological monitoring.