Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library Research
Join us on Facebook Join us on Facebook Share on Facebook
Share

Kidney Diseases

Nephrosis and testosterone medication

01/24/2003

Question:

At the age of 3 I was diagnosed with nephrosis. The condition was treated with prednisone and controlled until I was 16 years old. At 16, the prednisone no longer worked. I was admitted toGeorge Washington Hospital in D.C., where I was treated with Cytoxin and steroids. The condition then went into remission.

I am now in my 40`s and my urologist has prescribed a testosterone patch (because of low testosterone levels). The label on the patch advises that if you have/had kidney disease you should consult a doctor. My urologist advised that I should be able to use it, because it is two different systems. A pharmacist advised that this patch may cause problems. Can you advise? I do not want to risk the possibility of having a relapse of this condition.

Answer:

I believe that you are having regular checkups with your urologist who, I presume, is the surgeon doing kidney transplants. The urologist is part of a team which provides medical care for their patients. A board certified nephrologist is also part of that team. He/she is the individual who is best qualified to answer your question. There are testosterone receptor sites located in the kidney that do alter blood flow in very special parts of the glomerular circulation. I would advise you to ask your urologist for a referral to the nephrologist in the group. Maybe it might be diplomatic to talk to the social worker who is part of the team also. She/he will know how to do this best. I hope this information is helpful. 

For more information:

Go to the Kidney Diseases health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Philip W Hall, 3rd, MD Philip W Hall, 3rd, MD
Formerly, Professor Emeritus of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University