Endocrine abnormalities in patients with amyloidosis.

This study was conducted to examine systematically the endocrine function in 10 patients diagnosed to have renal amyloidosis. Basal and dynamic endocrine tests (GnRh, TRH, and ACTH stimulation tests as well as modified glucose tolerance test) were performed in all patients. Eight patients had advanced renal disease (creatinine clearance < 10 mL/min). Hypofunction of the thyroid gland was present in 5 out of those 8 patients, and thyroid biopsy confirmed amyloid deposition. Of those 5 patients, pituitary and adrenal defects were present in 2. In conclusion, endocrine abnormalities were evident at a later stage of renal amyloidosis. Hypothyroidism was present in all patients who manifested endocrine defects and should be considered as an early sign of endocrine involvement with the disease.