Endocrine dysfunction in chronic renal failure

The kidney has a central role in producing and metabolizing a variety of hormones. In addition, chronic renal failure results in alterations in the internal milieu that affects the synthesis and secretory rate of hormones as well as causing alterations of hormone effects on target tissue. Our review highlights the alterations in endocrine function that develop in patients with uremia. Special emphasis is placed on the diagnostic and therapeutic quandaries posed by these alterations in endocrine function.