Association of subcutaneous testosterone pellet therapy with developing secondary polycythemia

作者：Rotker Katherine Lang^*; Alavian Michael; Nelson Bethany; Baird Grayson L; Miner Martin M; Sigman Mark; Hwang Kathleen

来源：Asian Journal of Andrology, 2018, 20(2): 195-199.

DOI：10.4103/aja.aja_51_17

• hypogonadism
• pellet
• polycythemia
• testosterone

A variety of methods for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) exist, and the major potential risks of TRT have been well established. The risk of developing polycythemia secondary to exogenous testosterone (T) has been reported to range from 0.4% to 40%. Implantable T pellets have been used since 1972, and secondary polycythemia has been reported to be as low as 0.4% with this administration modality. However, our experience has suggested a higher rate. We conducted an institutional review board-approved, single-institution, retrospective chart review (2009u2013) to determine the rate of secondary polycythemia in 228 men treated with subcutaneously implanted testosterone pellets. KaplanuMeyer failure curves were used to estimate time until the development of polycythemia (hematocrit 50%). The mean number of pellets administered was 12 (range: 6u16). The mean follow-up was 566 days. The median time to development of polycythemia whereby 50% of patients developed polycythemia was 50 months. The estimated rate of polycythemia at 6 months was 10.4%, 12 months was 17.3%, and 24 months was 30.2%. We concluded that the incidence of secondary polycythemia while on T pellet therapy may be higher than previously established.

• 出版日期2018-4