Abnormal liver function and elevated hemoglobins in heroin addicts.

Reports dealing with medical problems of heroin dependency contain conflicting data regarding hemoglobin concentration. Medical evaluation of a large group of asymptomatic heroin users undergoing screening for participation in a methadone maintenance treatment program revealed a significant number of patients with elevated hemoglobin levels. The presence of increased hemoglobin concentrations in the addict population was highly correlated with the presence of abnormalities in liver function. In a preliminary serial study, a diminution of elevated hemoglobin values toward normal was observed in heroin users undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. These findings suggest the presence of deranged mechanisms responsible for the regulation of plasma volume and/or erythropiesis which may have pathophysiologic consequences of importance in the medical management of the heroin addict.