[Endocrine changes in chronic renal failure].

Endocrine abnormalities are common symptoms in patients with chronic renal failure. They are characterized by: 1. excessive somatotropin and prolactin secretion, 2. increased peripheral conversion of T4 to rT3, 3. secondary hyperparathyroidism accompanied by a relative insufficiency of calcitonin secretion, 4. hypogonadism, 5. hyperinsulinism and 6. decreased erythropoetin and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D synthesis. In patients with chronic renal insufficiency normal function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and pituitary-adrenal axis and normal PgA and PgE2 secretion are found. Increased blood levels of some peptide hormones (e.g. glukagon, gastrin) in patients with chronic renal failure seem to be caused, at least partially by secretion of biologically inactive prohormones and their decreased renal clearance.