Androgenic status of males with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The female predominance among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and the protective effects of androgens in the murine lupus model prompted us to assess the androgenic status of 12 men with the disease. Save for minor abnormalities explained by treatment or renal insufficiency, normal serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels were found. Hypogonadism or androgen deficiency was not evident.