Low testosterone levels in older men increase the risk of death
- Author Dayna Dye
- Published December 28, 2008
- Word count 571
A report published in the August 14/28, 2006 issue of American Medical Association journal Archives of Internal Medicine, revealed a correlation between reduced levels of the male hormone testosterone and an increased risk of mortality during up to 8 years of follow-up. Testosterone levels in men decrease by approximately 1.5 percent per year after age 30, which can eventually result in muscle mass and bone density reduction, diminished energy and libido, and depression and irritability.
Molly M. Shores, MD, and colleagues at the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, Seattle, analyzed the association between testosterone levels and death in 858 male veterans over the age of 40. The participants’ testosterone levels were measured at least twice between 1994 and 1999. Subjects were followed through 2002, and any deaths among the group were noted.
Nineteen percent of the participants were found to have a low total testosterone level of less than 250 nanograms per deciliter, or a free testosterone level of less than 0.75 nanograms per deciliter. Fifty-three percent had normal testosterone levels and 28 percent had tests that measured an equal number of low and normal levels. While only 20 percent of the men with normal testosterone died during follow-up, deaths occurred among 24.6 of those with equivocal levels and 35 percent of those with low levels. After adjustment for age, illness and other factors, men whose testosterone levels were classified as low experienced an 88 percent adjusted increased risk of dying over the course of the follow-up compared to those with normal levels. To reduce the effect of acute illness on the finding, the researchers reanalyzed the data excluding men who died within the first year of follow-up, yet they still found an increase of 68 percent in the risk of dying among men with low testosterone.
"The persistence of elevated mortality risk after excluding early deaths suggests that the association between low testosterone and mortality is not simply due to acute illness," the authors conclude. "Large prospective studies are needed to clarify the association between low testosterone levels and mortality."
Health Concern
Male hormone restoration
The exact causes of the age-related reduction in testosterone levels is not known; it is probably the result of a combination of factors, including increased body fat (and therefore increased aromatase activity), oxidative damage to tissues responsible for the production of testosterone, and declining levels of precursor molecules such as DHEA. The results of the decline, however, are strikingly apparent.
When testosterone levels are measured, it is critical to determine the levels of both free and total testosterone to understand the cause of any observed symptoms of deficiency or excess (Pardridge WM 1986).
The Life Extension Foundation believes that a comprehensive battery of tests along with a careful physical examination, is helpful in detecting hormonal imbalances in aging men. If testing is conducted, it is important to remember that blood levels of both free and total testosterone vary widely among individuals, making it difficult to establish a general threshold for treatment. However, levels are quite consistent within individuals, so it is helpful for men to have multiple tests over time to determine trends and individual thresholds for treatment.
One reason testosterone production may decline is because of oxidative damage directed at the tissues that synthesize testosterone. A Chinese study examined the role of antioxidants in male hormone imbalance or partial androgen deficiency of aging men. The article’s authors note that antioxidants (including vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium) all support testosterone production (He F et al 2005).
Dayna Dye writes for Life Extension - a global authority on health, wellness and nutrition as well as a provider of scientific information on anti-aging therapies and nutritional supplements, including minerals, herbs, hormones and vitamins. Read more about joint supplements from Life Extension.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Enchantment of Manga
- Lick by lick by Michael Webb review
- Can PTSD cause Low Testosterone Levels?
- Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men
- Bone Loss and Joint Pain in Men: Your Defense Arsenal of Critical Nutrients
- Nutrients for Preventing Hair Loss and Promoting Regrowth in Men
- Hair Loss No More: Expert Tips and Tricks for Men's Natural Hair Restoration
- Nature's Solutions: Enhancing Male Performance with 14 Herbs and Compounds
- Quick, Strong, and Rigid Erections: The All-natural topical male enhancement Option
- Rise to the Occasion: How to Maintain an Intense Natural Libido as a Man
- No Chemicals, No Lasers, No Surgery: The Natural Path to Banishing Hair Loss
- Erection on Demand:Naturally Ignite Instant Erections for Super Performance
- Take Control of Your Bladder: Men, Say Goodbye to Leaks!
- For Men 30 and Beyond:Boost Testosterone Levels and Regain Your Vitality
- Aging Gracefully:How Nitric Oxide Boosters Enhance Men's Well-being
- Aging and Semen Volume:What Every Man Should Know
- Men, Revive Your Love Life: Discover the Power of Lifestyle Changes and Natural Therapies
- Big Volume, Big Thrills:Boost Semen Production for Intense Orgasms and Virility
- The Ageless Man:Boost Your Testosterone Naturally and Feel Like 20 Again
- How You can boost your sex life dramatically and kill bedroom anxiety forever
- Male Fertility:How to Naturally Increase Semen Volume And Orgasm Intensity
- Revive Your Intimacy: Discover 4 Natural Solutions for Men's Sexual Issues
- Healthy Aging in Men : How to Look and Feel Younger as You Grow Older
- From Sperm Quality to Fatherhood: 11 Steps to Enhance Male Fertility
- Semen Volume and Aging: Optimizing the Changes in a Man's Sexual Health
- Human Sex Pheromones and Attractiveness in Intimate Relationships
- 8 Common Sexual Problems in Men Over 30: Causes and Natural Solutions
- False Allegations-Secrets and Lies
- An app that will teach men to understand and manage their emotions
- Pheromones FAQs