Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Testosterone-Induced Polycythemia A Blood Center's Perspective
- 1 July 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in American Journal of Clinical Pathology
- Vol. 154 (1), 33-37
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqaa019
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate therapeutic phlebotomy (TP) requests for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and to highlight the impact to a blood center (BC) or service that provides TP for individuals on TRT. Methods: Review of TP requests for individuals on TRT at our BC over a 3-year period from 2014 through 2016, as well as the total number of TP collections. Results: Total TPs during 2014, 2015, and 2016 were 475, 500, and 569, respectively. Annual TP collections for patients on TRT were 193, 212, and 239, respectively. TRT patients with TP orders increased 71.4% during this period. After discontinuation of TP services for TRT at our BC, 32% continued to donate as volunteer blood donors at our BC. Conclusions: Our BC observed increased TP requests for patients on TRT from 2014 through 2016. Our findings suggest that individuals on TRT may be presenting to BCs as volunteer blood donors to avoid charges for TP.This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society* Clinical Practice GuidelineJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2018
- Blood donation and testosterone replacement therapyTransfusion, 2017
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk: A ReviewThe World Journal of Men's Health, 2015
- Increased Risk of Non-Fatal Myocardial Infarction Following Testosterone Therapy Prescription in MenPLOS ONE, 2014
- Association of Testosterone Therapy With Mortality, Myocardial Infarction, and Stroke in Men With Low Testosterone LevelsJAMA, 2013
- Global trends in testosterone prescribing, 2000–2011: expanding the spectrum of prescription drug misuseThe Medical Journal of Australia, 2013
- Promoting “Low T”JAMA Internal Medicine, 2013
- Cardiovascular Events and Intensity of Treatment in Polycythemia VeraThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2013
- Adverse Events Associated with Testosterone AdministrationThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2010
- Anabolic steroids, acute myocardial infarction and polycythemia: A case report and review of the literatureVascular Health and Risk Management, 2008