Hormones Are Healing
I will tell you this over and over again until it is engrained in your brain to the point you feel comfortable explaining it to others! In order for us to be at our optimal health, maintaining optimal hormone levels are key. Optimal hormones are just as important as maintaining optimal nutritional levels and an optimal exercise program. Here is another reason why….. Early on, Covid 19 was seen to affect men greater than women. Although articles are written to explain this as a difference in immune system responses between male and female immune systems, another cause is the ability of testosterone (and estrogen) to stimulate lung protective anti-inflammatory cytokines. Yes, the role of cytokines can be confusing. There are anti-inflammatory cytokines that help protect us, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, that can hurt us. Remember, “The body needs to be in balance”. Recent case series reports from China, Italy, and Germany point out a repeated observation independent of age and co-morbidities; there is astrong association between low testosterone, low DHT (a metabolite of testosterone), increased inflammatory cytokines, increased disease progression, and poor clinical outcomes. German researchers found a majority of men admitted to the hospital had low testosterone levels which fueled the cytokine storms initiated by Covid 19. Cytokine storms decrease chances of survival and can prove to be fatal. In these recent case series, the probability of being transferred to the ICU was approximately 70% higher in males with Low Testosterone. The probability of death once admitted to the ICU was approximately 78% higher in males with Low Testosterone. Low Testosterone was defined as < 8 nmol/L. This equals less than 250 pg/ml, which is below the normal reference range of testosterone in the US. Optimal testosterone levels hence play a huge role in fighting Covid 19 and/or other similar viruses. Therefore, it is proposed doctors should be checking testosterone levels for a treatable prognostic factor just as they are checking CRP levels to evaluate the degree of inflammation. Low Testosterone can be treated easily and effectively and perhaps save more lives.* This is not entirely new information. Low testosterone levels in men have previously been shown to be a prognostic factor in the severity of their disease and increased admissions to Intensive Care Units.** The recent literature took this concept a step further to establish Low Testosterone as a prognostic indicator specifically for Covid 19. Bottom line. Make sure your Testosterone Level is optimal. Also, make sure your zinc level is optimal! Zinc decreases viral replication of Covid 19, and it helps boost testosterone levels and function.
- Screening for low testosterone is needed for early … – www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hypogonadism in aged hospitalized male patients: prevalence and clinical outcome. J Endocrinol Invest. [PubMed]