Short term effects of intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide injection on serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels in male veterans: A prospective pilot study

 

Dr Wolff’s Opinion:

This study evaluates the systemic effects of intraarticular (shoulder joint) steroid injections (cortisone) on men.  The average age of the men in the study was 50 (range from 30-69 y.o.).  All men had a single shoulder joint injection using 1 ml of steroid (Kenalog). Findings showed that there were significant temporary effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Simply put, a single steroid shot in a joint temporarily reduced testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels for anywhere between 1-4 weeks post injection, after which, testosterone and FSH gradually returned to pre-injection baseline levels. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate possible long-term effects of multiple steroid injections over time, injections of more than one joint in a single session involving larger doses of steroid.

 

Cite: Tahmasbi Sohi M, Cali M, Forster JE, Kiseljak-Vassiliades K, Wierman ME. Short term effects of intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide injection on serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels in male veterans: A prospective pilot study. PM R. 2024 Jan;16(1):6-13. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.13001. Epub 2023 Jun 27. PMID: 37229562.