Can Low Testosterone Cause Weak Immune System? (The Answer)

Yes, testosterone levels do affect the immune system. It appears that when the levels are too low or too high, it may weaken the intensity of the immune response.

Scientists from the Stanford University School of Medicine experimented with men and women of different age groups and had their blood drawn prior to and after an annual flu vaccine injection [1].

Here’s what they found:

• Women had a stronger antibody response to inoculation than men.
• Men are more prone to respond poorly to influenza vaccination than women, possibly due to higher testosterone which is linked to a poor immune response.

Men with low testosterone levels generally had a response to vaccination more similar to women rather than men with high testosterone.

The body’s defenses include different organs, tissues, and cells that mount robust immune responses to infections. Altogether, there are two major types: innate immunity and adaptive immunity [7].

1. Innate Immunity

Innate immunity response is faster (minutes to a few hours) compared to adaptive immunity.

It’s the one you are born with, and it’s the first line of defense as it slows down the effect of invader particles until adaptive immunity is developed.

2. Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive immunity is more complex, and it requires more time to identify, process, and make antibodies to deal with the pathogens (invader particles).

The good thing with adaptive immunity is that the system remembers the pathogens. So, future response to the same pathogen is faster and more efficient.

Being more complex, adaptive immunity is also more energy intensive.

Here are a few tips you should adopt to enhance your immunity.

1. Eat Healthily

CDC recommends diversifying and enriching your nutrient intake for optimal immune function [8].

This includes foods such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats

Also, you should limit unhealthy fats such as trans fats as well as refined sugar.

2. Physical  Activity

Previous studies have shown that physical activity can be beneficial for your immunity [9].

This benefit is limited to moderate amounts of exercise since higher-intensity exercises might have the opposite effect — decreased immunity [10].

3. Reduce Weight

Overweight individuals are prone to diseases because their immunity is often compromised [11].

They are also more likely to experience an insufficient response to illnesses [12].

4. Get Enough Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep also helps the immune system, specifically by boosting T cells (immune cells that fight pathogens) [13].

5. Reduce Alcohol Intake

Alcohol disrupts immune pathways, impairing the body’s ability to defend itself against infections [14].

6. Quit Smoking

Smoking compromises your immune system by increasing the risk for autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis [15].

There are two major ways to boost your testosterone; the artificial and the natural way.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be an effective way of boosting your testosterone, but it comes with many serious health risks, and it should be only considered if recommended by a medical professional.

I always advise my clients to go for natural ways instead.

Natural Ways

Here’s how to boost your T levels without wreaking havoc on your health:

• Diet: Vitamin D, proteins, and Zinc are the go-to nutrients that can bring your low T back to normal levels.
• Exercise: If you’re overweight, losing weight might get your T levels back to normal. You can do this by weight lifting and engaging in high-intensity workouts for fat loss, which might also boost free testosterone levels [17].
• Sleep: Seven hours of uninterrupted sleep can be highly beneficial for testosterone levels [18].
• Natural Testosterone Boosters: These products combine natural science-backed herbs and nutrients that have been studied for their potential to elevate the levels of testosterone. They can work very well when combined with a proper diet and exercise.