Serum Testosterone Levels During Chronic Glucocorticoid Therapy
Authors: I.R. REID
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

Letters and Corrections1 April 1987Serum Testosterone Levels During Chronic Glucocorticoid TherapyI.R. REID, M.D.I.R. REID, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-106-4-639 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTo the editor: MacAdams and colleagues (1) report a reduction in serum testosterone levels in patients receiving long-term glucocorticoid therapy and attribute this to an "alteration of hypothalamic GnRH secretion," because they found no accompanying increase in gonadotropin levels. They acknowledge that this finding is at variance with those in previously reported studies of acute glucocorticoid administration, which have indicated that glucocorticoids directly interfere with gonadal testosterone synthesis (2, 3). However, they are apparently unaware of our very similar 1985 report in which we documented the same decrement in total and free serum testosterone levels in asthmatics receiving chronic steroid...References1. MACADAMSWHITECHIPPS MRB. Reduction of serum testosterone levels during chronic glucocorticoid therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1986;104:648-51. LinkGoogle Scholar2. DOERRPIRKE PK. Cortisol-induced suppression of plasma testosterone in normal adult males. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976;43:622-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. SCHAISONDURANDMOWSZOWICZ GFI. Effect of glucocorticoids on plasma testosterone in men. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1978;89:126-31. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. REIDIBBERTSONFRANCEPYBUS IHJJ. Plasma testosterone concentrations in asthmatic men treated with glucocorticoids. Br Med J. 1985;291:574. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. GOLDSTEIN S. Senescence. In: DEGROOT LJ, CAHILL GF, ODELL WD, et al; eds. Endocrinology. New York: Grune & Stratton; 1979:2003. Google Scholar1. PADMANABHANKEECHCONVEY VCE. Cortisol inhibits and adrenocorticotropin has no effect on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-induced release of luteinizing hormone from bovine pituitary cells. Endocrinology. 1983;112:1782-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. VREEBURGDE GREEFOOMSVAN WOUWWEBER JWMPR. Effects of adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone on the negative feedback action of testosterone in the adult male rat. Endocrinology. 1984;115:977-83. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. RINGSTROMSCHWARTZ SN. Cortisol suppresses the LH, but not the FSH, response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone after orchidectomy. Endocrinology. 1985;116:472-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. LUTONTHIEBLOTVALCKEMAHOUDEAUBRICAIRE JPJJH. Reversible gonadotropin deficiency in male Cushing's disease. J Clin End Metab. 1977;45:488-95. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. MCKENNALORBERLACROIXRABIN TDAD. Testicular activity in Cushing's disease. Acta Endocrinol. 1979;91:501-10. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center St. Louis, MO 63178 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByOptimizing Diagnostic Accuracy and Treatment Decisions in Men With Testosterone DeficiencyTestosterone replacement therapy: For whom, when and how?Testosterone Therapy in Men With Hypogonadism: An Endocrine Society* Clinical Practice GuidelineBenefits and Adverses Effects of Testosterone TherapyValidation of the German version of the ‘Hypogonadism Related Symptom Scale’ (HRS) in andrological patients with infertility, HIV infection and metabolic syndromeAndrogen Effects on the Skeletal MusclePosition Stand on Androgen and Human Growth Hormone UsePeptide and Protein Hormones 1 April 1987Volume 106, Issue 4Page: 639-640KeywordsGlucocorticoid therapyGonadotropin releasing hormoneGonadotropinsPatientsTestosterone Issue Published: 1 April 1987 PDF DownloadLoading ...