[Serum testosterone level in male alcoholics].

The authors examined 48 males, with alcohol disease aged 20-50 and 10 healthy males. The dosing of testosterone was performed by radioimmunologic method with double antibodies. A significant increased level of serum testosterone was established when alcohol patients were examined. Serum testosterone is with the highest values in patients with sexual disturbances and in rather more advanced stages of the disease. The authors explain that paradoxical, at first sight, increase of testosterone in alcoholics by shifting of testosterone metabolism from oxidative way towards reductive way of metabolization.