Thyroid-gonad relationship in chronic renal failure

ABSTRACT

Thirty-four men of African origin suffering from chronic renal failure, (CRF) were studied to assess thyroid functions and their relationships to serum testosterone. Significantly lower mean values of T4, T3, testosterone, FT4I and FT3I were observed in CRF patients as compared to those in 23 healthy control subjects. Serum TSH, LH and TBG did not differ significantly whereas T3U and PRL were higher in CRF patients. Mean serum T4, T3U and FT4I values were further reduced in haemodialysed than in nonhaemodialysed patients. Significant positive coefficients of correlation between thyroid hormones and testosterone were observed in CRF patients. Simultaneous decreases in both serum and testosterone in the presence of normal serum TSH, LH and TBG levels suggest dysfunction of the pituitary-thyroid-gonad axis (AU)