Tip Keep Testosterone Levels High to Live Longer Search Skip to content Menu Menu follow us Store Articles Community Loyal-T Club Loyal-T Points Rewards Subscribe to Save Search Search The World s Trusted Source & Community for Elite Fitness Alpha LifeLivingSex & Hormones Tip Keep Testosterone Levels High to Live Longer Low T is associated with a higher death rate It also makes you fat Here' s why you should pay attention to testosterone levels by TC Luoma November 30, 2015December 12, 2021 Tags Living Better, Tips, TRT Testosterone plays a role in muscle size and strength, libido, energy, and keeping body fat low. You knew that, but high testosterone is also important to just plain staying alive. Contrary to what late-night TV lawyer commercials spout about high testosterone killing people, it's low testosterone that's the real concern. Higher risk of cardiovascular disease Narrowing of carotid arteries Abnormal EKG More frequent congestive heart failure Increased incidence of angina Increased body mass index Type II diabetes Metabolic syndrome Insulin resistance Higher death rate from all causes, including cardiac mortality Maybe you did a double take at the last item in the list. You should've. One study involving 858 male service veterans found that low testosterone individuals had an 88 percent greater chance of dying, for any reason, even after variables like age, other illnesses, and body mass index were accounted for. Are you immune to low testosterone because you're a big-time weight lifter? Nope. Male athletes often have lower testosterone than untrained men. One study found that weight lifters (along with rowers, cyclists, and swimmers) had testosterone levels that were 60-85 percent of untrained men. Some of the researchers attributed that disparity in alterations of hepatic (liver) and extrahepatic (muscles, skin) metabolism of testosterone that can't be compensated for by the athletes' gonads, but I suspect it might have to do with some yet-unexplained exercise-related increase in steroid hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which makes less testosterone available to tissues. Low testosterone levels seem to be epidemic among lifters. True, testosterone levels usually go up after an intense workout, but the rise is short-lived and levels often drop to below baseline soon after. So keep testosterone high. Use herbal testosterone boosters (we like Alpha Male), and if your levels are seriously deficient, consider physician-monitored testosterone replacement therapy. Get The T Nation Newsletters Don' t Miss Out Expert Insights To Get Stronger, Gain Muscle Faster, And Take Your Lifting To The Next Level related posts Alpha Life Tip 3 Ways to Get Your Act Together Achieving strength and physique goals will be a whole lot easier when your life isn't a chaotic mess. Here are three ways to get it together. Opinion, Strong Words, Tips Dan John July 16 Alpha Life The Truth About Trainers It's easy to make fun of the personal trainers at the gym. Some people even think they know more than the top coaches. Well, here's what they don't know. Opinion, Strong Words T Nation October 16 Alpha Life The 100 Laws of Muscle Observe the laws. Build muscle, lose fat, and win the mind game. It starts right here. Bodybuilding, Diet Strategy, Motivation, Opinion, Powerful Words, Strong Words Dani Shugart & Chris Shugart January 5 Alpha Life Gay Bashers Even Gayer Than Bodybuilding Why are bodybuilding fans and gym rats often the most homophobic people around? Time to call them out. Blogs, Opinion, Strong Words Chris Shugart July 2