Effects of Testosterone Oenanthate on Plasma Concentrations of Thyroxine, Cortisol, Testosterone and Hormone Binding Proteins in Patients with Hypogonadism

Abstract

After administration of 250 mg testosterone oenanthate to six hypogonadal men the following changes in plasma hormone and hormone binding protein concentrations were measured: 3-4 weeks after application thyroxine binding globulin (-31.6%), sexual hormone binding globulin (-19.1%) and Cortisol binding globulin (-8%) decreased, whereas the total plasma protein concentration remained unchanged. The corresponding hormone level of Cortisol exhibited no concomitant decrease, whereas the fall of thyroxine plasma concentration was almost identical (-32%) to that of its binding globulin, demonstrating that androgen treatment may lead to incorrect clinical interpretations of hormone concentration data in plasma. The testosterone concentrations reached the normal range of male healthy subjects for 1-2 weeks only. The half concentration time of plasma testosterone after testosterone oenanthate application amounts to 224 ± 18.24 hrs.