Anabolic androgenic steroids, an easily forgotten cause of polycythaemia and cerebral infarction

M S Y Low; S Vilcassim; P Fedele; G Grigoriadis

doi:10.1111/imj.13029

Anabolic androgenic steroids, an easily forgotten cause of polycythaemia and cerebral infarction

Intern Med J. 2016 Apr;46(4):497-9. doi: 10.1111/imj.13029.

Authors

M S Y Low^{1

2}, S Vilcassim^{1

3

4}, P Fedele^{1

2}, G Grigoriadis^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Haematology Department, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Immunology/Molecular Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University,, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 27062206
DOI: 10.1111/imj.13029

Abstract

Excessive anabolic androgenic steroids (both exogenous and endogenous) are known causes of polycythaemia and ischaemic cardiovascular events. Despite this, they are commonly forgotten in the workup of patients. We report a case of exogenous anabolic androgenic steroid-induced polycythaemia and stroke and explore possible pitfalls for clinicians.

Keywords: polycythaemia; stroke; testosterone.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Anabolic Agents / adverse effects*
Androgens / adverse effects*
Cerebral Infarction / chemically induced*
Cerebral Infarction / complications
Cerebral Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Humans
Male
Polycythemia / chemically induced*
Polycythemia / complications
Polycythemia / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

Anabolic Agents
Androgens