The COVID-19 pandemic has come as a surprise, causing millions of deaths globally. Hence, many studies have been done regarding its risk factors. Researchers know that older age and obesity are two of the significant risk factors associated with much higher mortality in those affected by the infection. However, what about COVID in those on steroids?

Understanding the risk of severe COVID while on steroids cycle is essential since it would not only help prevent severe COVID, but it may also help reduce the risk of other seasonal viral infections.

So, what do studies say about COVID risk when on steroids cycle?

Well, there are a few things that were known earlier. Anabolic steroids, including testosterone, share some traits with glucocorticoids, another kind of steroidal hormones that reduce inflammation but also suppresses immunity a bit. Hence, it is known that testosterone may promote post-exercise recovery and reduce inflammation. Still, it may also reduce immunity a bit.

However, as one can imagine, the impact of synthetic steroids can be more pronounced than testosterone since some of them have more potent action, such as glucocorticoids. For example, Trenbolone, one of the most potent anabolic steroids, also acts as mild glucocorticosteroid, thus suppressing immunity.

Additionally, it would be vital to understand that people take testosterone or other anabolic steroids to boost their blood level of steroids multiple times than their natural levels. It means that though naturally produced testosterone does not impact immunity, but injected testosterone or ingested steroids can suppress immunity.

This means that there is a higher COVID-19 infection risk while on steroids cycle. This risk would also depend on the dosage of steroids. If one is using testosterone at a lower dosage, this risk would be minute. However, suppose one is stacking steroids (using multiple steroids at any given time). In that case, the risk of contracting various viral infections is significant.

With all that said, it is also vital to understand that COVID risk is also increased by going to the gym or other places where there are many people inside a limited space.

Further, it is vital to understand that there are few studies confirming that anabolic steroid use increases COVID risk, but these studies had many limitations. For example, these studies did not take into consideration issues like the vaccination status of users and what kind of steroids they were using. Further, most such studies used surveys to understand steroid use and not more reliable methods like blood tests.

So, what do we conclude?

It would be correct to say that steroids, especially when used at higher dosages, are known to suppress immunity and thus increase COVID risk. However, this risk in many steroid users is also increased by going to the gym, where they are more likely to contract infection. Further, measures like wearing masks, social distancing, and vaccination can help minimize the risk.

Thus, generally, it would be good to take a break during significant outbreaks of specific infections, not just COVID-19, but also during the seasonal flu outbreak and other infections. Alternatively, one can reduce the total dosage of steroids during epidemics and instead use low-dose testosterone to maintain muscle mass.

Tags covid, flu, sick, illness, covid-19, covid 19, steroid, aas, cycle, new studies, 2024