Autoimmune conditions happen when the immune system becomes over-active and starts attacking the body’s own tissues. One striking fact is that many autoimmune illnesses are more common in women than men — and hormones may be part of the reason.
Recent genetic research (using a powerful method called Mendelian randomisation) shows something important:
The simple takeaway
Healthy testosterone levels appear to protect against certain autoimmune diseases.
People genetically wired to have higher lifelong testosterone had lower risk of:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Sjögren’s / Sicca syndrome (when bioavailable testosterone is higher)
The same research also showed the “reverse story”:
autoimmune disease can push testosterone down, creating a loop where low testosterone may both increase vulnerability and worsen symptoms.
Why testosterone may help immune balance
Testosterone doesn’t just affect energy, libido, and muscle. It also helps calm immune over-reaction, by:
- reducing inflammatory signals
- supporting immune “brake cells” (regulatory T-cells)
- lowering auto-antibody drive
Think of it like an immune thermostat:
when testosterone is low, the immune system is more likely to run too hot.
What this means for you
If you live with autoimmunity and also notice:
- fatigue or low resilience
- brain fog
- reduced strength or recovery
- low mood or drive
- sleep disruption
- declining libido
…then hormones may be part of your wider immune landscape — and worth assessing properly.
TRT is not a blanket cure for autoimmunity, but in selected people with low androgen levels, restoring testosterone to a healthy physiological range may support better immune stability. This is exactly where personalised, regenerative care matters.
How Levitas can help
We offer Levitas Hormones for Life, an online service for safe, medically-supervised hormone assessment and optimisation wherever you live.
TRT clinics — see us in person at our premier sites:
- Levitas–HVN Knightsbridge
- Levitas Mayfair
- Levitas Esher
- Levitas Guildford
If you’d like to explore whether your hormone terrain is affecting your autoimmune health, we’ll guide you through testing, interpretation, and a personalised plan.
Your immune system doesn’t work in isolation — and neither should your care.