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In a study that appeared in the peer-reviewed journal The Aging Male on September 3, researchers showed that infection with Covid-19 can worsen men’s testosterone levels. Result ? The risk of ending up in intensive care would be greater
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Covid-19 Could Lower Men’s Testosterone Levels
Published in the peer-reviewed journal The Aging Male, the study was carried out by experts from Mersin University and Mersin City Education And Research Hospital in Turkey. The results of the study show that the virus-induced drop in men’s testosterone levels could impact the likelihood of ending up in intensive care.
To carry out the study, the researchers analyzed the blood testosterone levels of 221 men with Covid-19 which they classified into three groups: 46 asymptomatic patients, 129 symptomatic patients hospitalized in internal medicine and 46 patients hospitalized in intensive care. . According to the results, the testosterone level was significantly lower in the group of men hospitalized in intensive care than in the other two groups of patients.
Lead author Selahittin Çayan, professor of urology, explains it this way: “ In our study, the average total testosterone decreased, as the severity of COVID-19 increased. The mean total testosterone level was significantly lower in the ICU group than in the asymptomatic group. In addition, the mean total testosterone level was significantly lower in the ICU group than in the Intermediate Care Unit group, the mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone level was significantly higher in the ICU group than in the asymptomatic group. “.
So what is the link between Covid-19 and testosterone level?
According to Selahittin Çayan, “ Testosterone is linked to the immune system of the respiratory organs, and low testosterone levels can increase the risk of respiratory infections. A drop in testosterone is also associated with hospitalization due to infection and all-cause mortality in men in intensive care, so treatment with testosterone may have benefits that go beyond improving blood pressure. results in Covid-19 patients. “.
Now that the link between Covid-19 and testosterone is starting to be established, the study could provide new leads for testosterone-based treatments. This is what Selahittin Çayan concludes: “ At this time, it might be advisable to analyze testosterone levels. […] In men with low levels of sex hormones who have tested positive for Covid-19, treatment with testosterone may improve their prognosis. More research on this is needed. “.