COVID MAY DEPLETE TESTOSTERONE

  • 30/09/2020

COVID-19 disease might deteriorate men's testosterone levels, according to a new study which says low levels of the hormone could be a cause for poor prognosis following a positive test for the novel Coronavirus . The research, published in the journal The Aging Male, noted that as the testosterone level at baseline decreases in men, the probability for them to be in the intensive care unit (ICU) significantly increases.The scientists believe the findings could explain why prognosis is worse in men than in women with COVID-19, and therefore help discover possible improvement in clinical outcomes using testosterone-based treatments.
According to the study lead author Selahittin Cayan, Professor of Urology at the University of Mersin, while it has already been reported that low testosterone levels could be a cause for poor prognosis following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, this is the first study to show that COVID-19 itself depletes testosterone.According to the researchers, future studies should look at the concentration levels of ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) -- an enzyme attached to the cell membranes of cells located in the intestines -- in relationship with the total testosterone levels.

Related Articles