If you have been feeling off your game and learned your testosterone is low, you may be wondering whether that also affects your risk of COVID-19. Men are more likely than women to develop severe illness, and several studies suggest that low testosterone is one piece of that puzzle. Here is what the science says, what it does not yet prove, and how to use this information to protect your health.
Observational research consistently finds that men who arrive at the hospital with lower testosterone levels are more likely to need intensive care or experience worse outcomes. In a cohort study from Washington University, lower testosterone at admission and during early hospitalization tracked with greater illness severity in men. The authors were careful to note that low testosterone might be a marker of serious infection rather than the cause, but the association was strong.
In 2022, a study reported that men with documented low testosterone before infection had more than twice the odds of COVID-19 hospitalization compared with men whose levels were normal. Interestingly, men who were already on testosterone therapy for hypogonadism did not show an elevated risk of hospitalization in that dataset, although this type of study cannot prove cause and effect.
Testosterone does more than influence muscle and libido. It helps regulate the immune response, vascular function, and metabolism. Lower levels in men are linked with higher inflammatory cytokines during acute COVID-19 and may correlate with the kind of overactive inflammation that drives lung injury. Low testosterone is also commonly associated with central obesity, insulin resistance, and sleep apnea, which themselves raise the risk of severe infection. Together, these factors offer biologically plausible reasons that low testosterone could align with worse outcomes.
It is equally important to recognize that severe illness can suppress testosterone temporarily. That means very low levels measured during hospitalization may partly reflect the body’s stress response.
Several independent cohorts have linked lower testosterone with higher COVID-19 severity in men, including greater need for oxygen, ICU care, or higher mortality. A 2021 multicenter analysis reported that low testosterone in hospitalized men was associated with more advanced immune activation and a higher risk of ICU admission or death. More recent summaries reach a cautious conclusion that the association is real, while emphasizing that the direction of causality is not fully resolved.
At the same time, the idea of lowering androgens to treat COVID-19 did not hold up in a randomized trial. Hospitalized men who received the androgen-suppressing drug degarelix did no better than those given a placebo, arguing against the notion that blocking testosterone improves outcomes during acute illness.
So far, there is no high-quality evidence that starting testosterone therapy prevents COVID-19 or treats acute infection. Professional guidance focuses on treating confirmed hypogonadism to improve symptoms and body composition, not on changing COVID-19 risk. Observational data suggest that men already receiving testosterone for low levels were not at higher risk of hospitalization than eugonadal men, but this should not be taken as proof of protection. If you are receiving treatment, do not stop it without speaking to your provider. If you have symptoms of low T, pursue proper testing and discuss individualized treatment that considers benefits and risks.
Low testosterone can weigh on energy, mood, and confidence. The COVID-19 era added a new layer of concern for many men, but you can take smart steps to protect yourself. If confirmed hypogonadism is part of your picture, treatment may help you feel and function better while you keep up with proven public health measures. If you are ready to talk through testing and options, Rocky Mountain Men’s Clinic provides testosterone replacement therapy. Our team will confirm the diagnosis carefully, review evidence-based choices, and build a plan that supports your overall health and resilience.
If you’re looking for a men’s health clinic that offers testosterone replacement therapy in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Men’s Clinic today for a consultation. We have locations in Westminster, Fort Collins, Central Denver, Colorado Springs, and Castle Rock, Colorado, and we are eager to guide you through TRT and how it can benefit your life.
Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. We cannot guarantee specific outcomes from these services.
