An athlete with polycythemia may have received which treatment?

Erythropoietin injection is a correct treatment for an athlete with polycythemia, particularly when the condition is secondary to insufficient oxygen or another underlying cause such as high altitude training or chronic hypoxia. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced primarily by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells from the bone marrow. In conditions where there is a need for increased red blood cell mass, such as polycythemia or anemia due to chronic disease, applying erythropoietin can help alleviate symptoms by improving the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

In athletes, the use of erythropoietin has become a known method for enhancing performance. By increasing the red blood cell count, oxygen delivery to muscles can improve, potentially enhancing endurance and stamina during competition. However, misuse of this treatment in sports contexts is considered doping and is banned in competitive athletics.

The other options present different treatments that do not directly reduce polycythemia. Androgen therapy can indeed lead to an increase in red blood cell production but is not a primary treatment for polycythemia itself. Hydration therapy is generally utilized to address dehydration and its effects on blood volume and viscosity but does not