Endocrine drugs: testosterone and erythrocytosis: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pharmacology · Endocrine drugs: testosterone and erythrocytosis

Sample item

A 50-year-old man with hypogonadism uses testosterone gel. After six months his haemoglobin is 18.5 g/dL and haematocrit 56 percent. Which adverse effect is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Erythrocytosis from stimulation of erythropoiesis

Testosterone stimulates erythropoietin and red cell production, so haematocrit is monitored and treatment is reduced or stopped when it exceeds about 54 percent. Other risks include sleep apnoea, prostate enlargement and infertility.

Option by option

  • A. Hyperkalaemia from aldosterone antagonism

    Testosterone is not an aldosterone antagonist.

  • B. Hypoglycaemia from increased insulin secretion

    Testosterone does not increase insulin secretion.

  • C. Hypocalcaemia from reduced bone turnover

    Testosterone does not reduce bone turnover to cause hypocalcaemia.

  • D. Erythrocytosis from stimulation of erythropoiesis (correct)

    Correct. Testosterone stimulates red cell production.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Erythrocytosis from stimulation of erythropoiesis. Testosterone stimulates erythropoietin and red cell production, so haematocrit is monitored and treatment is reduced or stopped when it exceeds about 54 percent.

Why is "Hyperkalaemia from aldosterone antagonism" not the answer?

Testosterone is not an aldosterone antagonist.

Why is "Hypoglycaemia from increased insulin secretion" not the answer?

Testosterone does not increase insulin secretion.

Why is "Hypocalcaemia from reduced bone turnover" not the answer?

Testosterone does not reduce bone turnover to cause hypocalcaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: testosterone and erythrocytosis in Pharmacology. Other risks include sleep apnoea, prostate enlargement and infertility.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrine drugs: testosterone and erythrocytosis?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.