Of low testosterone in males & COVID: "Association of Male Hypogonadism With Risk of Hospitalization for COVID-19"; now well established that a low testosterone concentration is a marker severe COVID

Dhindsa: study suggests that men with hypogonadism are more likely to be hospitalized after COVID-19 infection compared with men with eugonadism and men receiving adequate testosterone therapy.

Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough of the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty (testosterone) or enough sperm or both.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354881

‘The COVID-19 pandemic has exacted a heavy toll on public health. Epidemiologic data have identified certain characteristics that are associated with adverse outcomes, including advanced age, obesity, and systemic diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.1 In addition, patients hospitalized for COVID-19 are more likely to be men than women.2 Therefore, it was presumed that testosterone is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 and that estrogen may be protective against COVID-19.3

However, not all men have similar testosterone concentrations.4,5 Men’s testosterone concentrations decrease continuously by 1% to 2% per year, starting after the third decade of life.6-8 In addition, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, kidney insufficiency, and chronic lung disease, are associated with lower serum testosterone concentrations among men.4,9,10 Thus, aging and the presence of comorbid conditions, which are risk factors for hospitalization for COVID-19, are also associated with hypogonadism, which raises the question of whether hypogonadism is a risk factor for COVID-19–related hospitalization among men.’

SOURCE

‘Question Is male hypogonadism (low testosterone levels) a risk factor for hospitalization for COVID-19?

Findings In this cohort study of 723 men, those with hypogonadism had significantly higher odds than men with eugonadism of being hospitalized, independent of other known risk factors for COVID-19–related hospitalization. Men receiving testosterone therapy had a similar risk of hospitalization as men with eugonadism.

Meaning This study suggests that men with hypogonadism are more likely to be hospitalized after COVID-19 infection compared with men with eugonadism and men receiving adequate testosterone therapy.’