Sexual function and hormonal abnormalities in uremic men on chronic dialysis and after renal transplantation

Twenty-one adult uremic males on chronic hemodialysis were studied to determine the circulating levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and prolactin and their relationship to sexual function. Ten of the twenty-one patients were on exogenous testosterone, and its effects were measured. Twelve adult males with successful renal transplants were likewise examined. Testosterone concentrations were low in dialysis patients not on androgens (429 ng/dl +/- 85 SE), but FSH and LH levels were elevated (8.0 mIU/ml +/- 1.4 SE and 31 mIU/ml +/- 5.4 SE, respectively. Testosterone returned to normal after transplantation, but FSH and LH levels remained elevated. Prolactin levels were significantly increased in dialysis patients (25.5 ng/ml +/- 5.6 SE) and remained so despite androgen therapy, but returned to normal after transplantation. There was no correlation in any group between laboratory data and potency before androgen therapy. However, excessive testosterone replacement was shown to have an adverse effect on potentia.