Androgenic steroid effects on liver and red cells.

Haematological and hepatic effects of testosterone/anabolic steroid self-administration were investigated in five power athletes during 26 weeks of training. During steroid administration blood haematocrit had increased 9.6% (p less than .05) in the study group (n = 5), but not in the control group (n = 6). This erythropoietic phenomenon was supported by increased (p less than .05) RBC and unchanged MCV. Blood haemoglobin concentration did not change markedly and consequently MCHC level in the study group decreased significantly (p less than .001). Also the erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased (p less than .05) in the study group. The mean values of serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were and remained within normal range in both groups, although those of the study group were higher. The mean values of serum aspartate aminotransferase exceeded the normal range (56 U/l, at highest) but this may be of muscular rather than hepatic origin because of the severe training. It can be concluded that erythropoiesis was stimulated and liver function mildly impaired due to sustained high-dose testosterone/anabolic steroid administration.