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Review
. 2024 Apr 23;40(1):e1303.
doi: 10.7196/SAJCC.2024.v40i1.1303. eCollection 2024.

A review of the role of testosterone in the care of the critically ill patient

R Stevenson  1 , D G Bishop  2 , R N Rodseth  2   3
Affiliations
Review

A review of the role of testosterone in the care of the critically ill patient

R Stevenson et al. South Afr J Crit Care. .

Abstract

Background: Testosterone is an anabolic and androgenic steroid hormone therapeutically used to produce male sex characteristics. It has also been shown to have a modulating effect on proinflammatory biomarkers. Critical illness is characterised by a proinflammatory and catabolic state and is accompanied by altered testosterone production, which may persist into the recovery phase. Testosterone may, therefore be a potential therapeutic option in critical illness. This paper reviews normal testosterone physiology, and the changes seen during critical illness and systematically reviews testosterone therapy during both the acute and chronic phases of critical illness.

Contribution of the study: This article explains the pathophysiology of testosterone during critical illness and explores the therapeutic value of testosterone in the management of critically ill patients.

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