Testosterone Use and Adrenal Hemorrhage

Abstract Background: Testosterone supplementation has been associated with a variety of side effects, such as polycythemia, and can potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Testosterone use has also been associated with increased thrombotic events, especially in patients with underlying hypercoagulable state. Clinical Case: A 57-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and distention. He had history of previous intramuscular (IM) and oral testosterone use for ten years. For 8 weeks prior to initial presentation, he reported using weekly IM 500mg Testosterone injections. Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed multiple thrombi of the portal, splenic, superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric veins. He was started on Warfarin and discharged home. A few weeks later, he presented with similar symptoms with labs now showing an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 10.2. Repeat CT was significant for presence of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, measuring 2.9cm on the right and 2.4cm on the left, which were not seen on previous imaging done one week prior. During the hospital course, he was found to be hypotensive with low platelet count so Intravenous Immunoglobulin therapy was initiated for suspected catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). Morning cortisol was 5.82 ug/dL (6.2–29.0) so this critically-ill patient was started on stress dose hydrocortisone, which was subsequently tapered to physiological dose after clinical improvement. Cosyntropin stimulation test was performed after withholding the prior dose of hydrocortisone. The baseline cortisol was 0.88 ug/dL (6.20–29.00ug/dL), after administration of 250mcg of Cosyntropin 30- and 60-minute cortisol levels were 1.5 ug/dL (4.3–22.4ug/dL) and 1.6 ug/dL (4.3–22.4ug/dL) respectively. Baseline ACTH of 121.0 pg/mL (7.2–63.3pg/mL), consistent with primary adrenal insufficiency. Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) level was 15.7 ug/dL (80.0–560.0ug/dL). Hypercoagulability workup was significant for the presence of lupus anticoagulant and antibodies positive for heparin induced thrombocytopenia, so patient was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid syndrome. Conclusion: This is a case of hypercoagulability in a patient with history of anabolic steroid misuse who developed extensive intraabdominal venous thrombosis, adrenal hemorrhage, and primary adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal vein thrombosis and hemorrhage can be life threatening sequalae of testosterone misuse and should be considered in the differential for patients with history of testosterone misuse and adrenal insufficiency.