Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Testosterone-Induced Polycythemia

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.