The Double Edge Sword of Testosterone’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 2021
in “Frontiers in Endocrinology”
TLDR Testosterone may influence COVID-19 severity and outcomes.
The document discusses the potential role of testosterone in the severity of COVID-19 infection, suggesting that the infection could be androgen mediated. It notes an observation of male pattern hair loss among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Spain, indicating a possible link between androgens and COVID-19 severity. The study also suggests that androgen-deprivation therapies for prostate cancer may lower the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, an androgen receptor genetic variant was found to predict COVID-19 disease severity. The document also explores the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male gonadal function and the potential anti-inflammatory effect of androgen receptor activation. It was found that low testosterone levels could predict clinical adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients.
View this study on frontiersin.org →
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