Testosterone Levels in Nondialysis Diabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Several studies have shown that endocrine abnormalities are a common feature in patients with renal failure. The aim of this study was to examine the testosterone levels in nondialysis diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).26 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), aged between 45 and 66 years and level of glomerular filtration rate (GFR)30 ml/min/1.73m2 were recruited for this study. Biochemical and hormonal parameters: the fastind plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total and free testosterone were measured. FPG was determined using automatic devices, HbA1c by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total testosterone by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and free testosterone by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Low testosterone levels were confirmed by two separate blood testosterone measurements. Results were compared with the same measurements in 22 subjects with T2DM but without CKD. The groups were similar in terms of age, FPG and HbA1c. Total testosterone and free testosterone are significantly low values in diabetic patients with CKD than control group (12.97 nmol/l vs 17.89 nmol/l p=0.0096, 0.06 nmol/l vs 0.009 nmol/l, p=0.0198). Our study demonstrates that serum testosterone levels gradually decline with progressive CKD and age.