The majority of male patients with COVID-19 present low testosterone levels on admission to Intensive Care in Hamburg, Germany

All enrolled patients (n=45; n=35 males and n=10 females) presented comorbidities with hypertension being the most common (45.7 percent in males; 40 percent ), followed by cancer (35 percent in males; 40 percent in females), obesity (34.3 percent in males and 30 percent  in females), type II diabetes (25.7{ percent in males and 20 percent in females) and chronic heart diseases (8.6 percent in males and 0 percent in females).

We detected that the vast majority of male COVID-19 patients present low testosterone (68.6 percent and low dihydrotestosterone (48.6 percent) levels.

In contrast, most female COVID-19 patients have elevated testosterone levels (60 percent ) without alterations in dihydrotestosterone levels.

Both, female and male COVID-19 patients may present elevated estradiol levels (45.7 percent in males and 40 percent in females).

Disease severity defined by SOFA score correlates with elevated cytokine responses (e.g. IL-6) in males and IL-2 in females.

In male COVID-19 patients, testosterone levels negatively correlate with inflammatory IL-2 and IFN-γ, whereas estradiol levels positively correlate with the inflammatory cytokine IL-6.

Vice versa, in female COVID-19 patients, testosterone levels positively correlate with inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6).

Takeaway ( Interpretation )

Here we show that critically ill male COVID-19 patients suffer from severe testosterone and dihydrotestosterone deficiencies.

Both androgens are required to mount antiviral immune responses to combat infection in males.

Laymans Takeaway

Low T levels = compromised Immune Response
Low DHT levels = compromised Immune Response

But dont forget !

High Androgens also = compromised Immune Response

Inverted J Curve anyone ?

Bueller ?
Bueller ?
Anyone ?
Anyone ?

Also for you DHT haters.. note carefully

Low DHT levels = compromised Immune Response

Victor Black