Mas Mababa ang Testosterone, Mas Maigsi ang Buhay

Low testosterone has higher mortality

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Summary: Low Testosterone, Higher Mortality

Recent research has uncovered a strong link between low testosterone levels and increased risk of death, especially in men. Two major studies published in 2024 and 2025 reveal that testosterone is more than just a sex hormone; it plays a critical role in longevity and cardiovascular health.

Study #1: Meta-Analysis from the Annals of Internal Medicine (2024)

The first study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine in May 2024, analyzed hormone data from over 255,000 participant-years. Unlike older studies, it used mass spectrometry—considered the gold standard for hormone measurement. The researchers evaluated five hormones:

  • Testosterone
  • Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
  • Estradiol
  • Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin (SHBG)
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Major Findings

  • Men with testosterone levels below 213 ng/dL had a higher risk of all-cause death.
  • Men with levels below 153 ng/dL faced an even higher risk of cardiovascular death.
  • Low DHT was associated with greater risk of death, but so was extremely high DHT—suggesting a “U-shaped” risk curve.
  • Low estradiol and high LH levels were also linked with increased mortality.
  • Surprisingly, low SHBG was associated with lower mortality, likely because it meant more free (active) testosterone.

The big picture: Testosterone interacts with multiple hormones, and imbalances can be a red flag for broader health problems. These hormones affect metabolism, blood vessels, inflammation, and even brain function—making testosterone a valuable marker for aging and systemic health.

Low testosterone is linked with higher mortality
Testosterone levels are tested in the blood

Study #2: NHANES-Based Study from Cardiovascular Toxicology (2025)

The second study analyzed real-world U.S. data from the NHANES survey. It looked at 1,177 adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD)—689 men and 488 women—and followed them over a median of 55 months to see who survived.

Key Results in Men

  • Over 70% of male CVD patients had low testosterone (≤300 ng/dL).
  • Men with low testosterone had a 48% higher risk of death, even after adjusting for other factors like age, blood pressure, income, and estradiol.
  • This risk was consistent whether the men were younger or older, or had hypertension or not.

What About Women?

  • In women, low testosterone (≤20 ng/dL) did not significantly affect mortality.
  • However, age and low estradiol levels were linked to higher death risk.
  • The study emphasized that hormone physiology in women is more complex, and the effects of testosterone aren’t as clear-cut as in men.

Why Low Testosterone Increases Death Risk

Scientists have proposed several ways that low testosterone may contribute to early death in men:

  1. Heart Rhythm Problems
    • Low testosterone can lead to QTc interval prolongation, a delay in the heart’s electrical system. This increases the risk of arrhythmias, which can cause sudden death.
  2. More Belly Fat and Poor Blood Sugar Control
    • Testosterone helps regulate insulin and fat metabolism. Low levels lead to insulin resistance and visceral fat gain—both strong predictors of heart disease and diabetes.
  3. Inflammation and Blood Vessel Damage
    • Normally, testosterone reduces inflammation. When it’s low, the body stays in a low-grade inflammatory state, which damages blood vessels and increases the risk for heart attacks and strokes.
  4. High LH as a Sign of Testicular Failure
    • LH tells the testicles to produce testosterone. When testosterone is low and LH is high, it usually means the testicles aren’t working properly. This failure may also negatively affect vascular health.
Testosterone affects heart rhythms
Testosterone affects heart rhythms

Bottom Line

Low testosterone is not just about low libido or muscle mass. It’s a signal that multiple systems—heart, metabolism, and immune—are under strain. For men, it’s a potential early warning sign of declining health and higher death risk.


What the Two Studies Agree On

Both studies—one using large cohorts and another using real-world national data—reached the same conclusion:

  • Low testosterone = higher mortality, particularly from heart disease, in men.
  • Routine testosterone screening, especially in older men or those with heart disease, may help identify those at higher risk.
  • Testosterone should be seen as a marker of aging and physical resilience, much like blood pressure or cholesterol.

The studies also looked at related hormones like DHT, estradiol, SHBG, and LH. These findings suggest that hormone balance, not just testosterone alone, plays a key role in survival and health.


Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone

While testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be needed in some cases, many people can improve their levels naturally through lifestyle changes:

For Men

  • Strength Training – Lifting weights boosts testosterone production.
  • Sleep – 7–9 hours per night is crucial for hormone balance.
  • Lose Belly Fat – Visceral fat suppresses testosterone.
  • Eat Healthy Fats – Olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish help hormone synthesis.
  • Get Enough Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin D3 – Deficiencies in these nutrients are linked with low testosterone.
  • Limit Alcohol and Sugar – Both lower testosterone and increase belly fat.
  • Reduce Stress – High cortisol (stress hormone) blunts testosterone production.

For Women

  • Lift Weights – Resistance training raises testosterone and DHEA.
  • Eat Well and Maintain Healthy Weight – Excess fat disrupts hormones.
  • Get Protein and Healthy Fats – These are the raw materials for hormone creation.
  • Reduce Stress and Improve Sleep – Just like in men, this supports hormone stability.
  • DHEA Supplements – May help under doctor supervision in some cases.
low testosterone linked to higher mortality
Dapat may reseta ng doktor ang testosterone

When to Test Your Hormones

Ask your doctor for testing if you have:

  • Low energy
  • Loss of strength
  • Low libido
  • Weight gain
  • Mood changes
  • Poor sleep

Conclusion

Low testosterone is emerging as a critical biomarker for men’s long-term health and survival. These two studies show that men with low testosterone die earlier, especially from heart problems. The good news is that hormone levels can often be improved naturally.

As research advances, testosterone testing may soon become as routine as cholesterol checks. And for many, the best “medicine” is already available—exercise, sleep, good food, and stress management.

Because in the end, protecting your testosterone could mean protecting your life.

Mababang Testosterone, Mas Maagang Kamatayan: Buod sa Tagalog

Ipinapakita ng bagong pananaliksik na ang mababang testosterone ay may kaugnayan sa mas mataas na panganib ng maagang pagkamatay, lalo na sa mga lalaki. Dalawang malalaking pag-aaral na inilathala noong 2024 at 2025 ang nagpapakita na ang testosterone ay hindi lang para sa libido—ito ay mahalaga para sa kalusugan ng puso at mahabang buhay.


Unang Pag-aaral: Meta-Analysis mula sa Annals of Internal Medicine (2024)

Sa unang pag-aaral, sinuri ng mga mananaliksik ang hormone levels ng mga lalaki gamit ang data mula sa higit 255,000 participant-years. Gumamit sila ng mass spectrometry, ang pinaka-eksaktong paraan ng pagsusuri ng hormones.

Ano ang Sinaliksik na Hormones

  • Testosterone
  • Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
  • Estradiol
  • Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin (SHBG)
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Pangunahing Natuklasan

  • Ang mga lalaking may testosterone sa ibaba ng 213 ng/dL ay may mas mataas na panganib mamatay mula sa anumang sanhi.
  • Ang testosterone na mas mababa pa sa 153 ng/dL ay may mas mataas na panganib ng pagkamatay dahil sa sakit sa puso.
  • Mababa o sobrang taas na DHT ay parehong delikado—ito’y tinatawag na “U-shaped risk.”
  • Ang mababang estradiol at mataas na LH ay kaugnay rin ng mas mataas na mortality.
  • Nakakagulat, ang mababang SHBG ay kaugnay ng mas mababang risk ng kamatayan—marahil dahil mas maraming “free testosterone” ang umiikot sa katawan.

Buod: Hindi lang testosterone ang mahalaga kundi pati ang balanse nito sa ibang hormones. Ang mga imbalanse ay maaaring babala ng mas malawak na problema sa kalusugan.


Ikalawang Pag-aaral: NHANES Study mula sa Cardiovascular Toxicology (2025)

Gamit ang data mula sa NHANES (isang national health survey sa U.S.), sinuri ng pag-aaral na ito ang 1,177 na pasyente ng cardiovascular disease (CVD)—689 lalaki at 488 babae. Sinundan sila sa loob ng 55 buwan upang tingnan kung sino ang nabuhay o namatay.

Sa mga Lalaki

  • Mahigit 70% ng mga lalaking may CVD ay may mababang testosterone (≤300 ng/dL).
  • Ang mga may mababang testosterone ay may 48% na mas mataas na tsansa mamatay, kahit isinama na sa pagsusuri ang edad, presyon ng dugo, kita, at iba pang hormones.
  • Pantay ang risk sa mas bata (<65 taong gulang) at mas matatanda (≥65), pati na rin sa may at walang altapresyon.

Sa mga Babae

  • Sa mga babae, ang mababang testosterone (≤20 ng/dL) ay hindi naugnay sa mas mataas na risk ng kamatayan.
  • Pero ang edad at mababang estradiol ay may ugnayan sa mas mataas na risk.
  • Ipinapakita ng pag-aaral na mas komplikado ang hormone system ng mga babae, kaya kailangan pa ng mas maraming pananaliksik.

Ano ang Masamang Epekto ng Mababang Testosterone sa Katawan?

  1. Problema sa Pintig ng Puso (QTc Interval)
    • Ang testosterone ay tumutulong sa tamang timing ng tibok ng puso.
    • Kapag mababa ito, tumatagal ang electrical signal ng puso → mas mataas ang tsansa ng arrhythmia o biglaang pagkamatay.
  2. Mas Maraming Taba sa Tiyan at Mataas na Asukal
    • Pinapababa ng testosterone ang insulin resistance.
    • Kapag mababa ito, tumataas ang blood sugar at mas maraming visceral fat (pinakamapanganib na taba).
  3. Pamamaga at Sirang Daluyan ng Dugo
    • May anti-inflammatory effect ang testosterone.
    • Kung kulang ito, lagi kang parang may “silent inflammation” sa katawan, na sumisira sa ugat at puso.
  4. Mataas na LH: Senyales ng Testicular Failure
    • Ang LH ay utos ng utak para sa bayag na gumawa ng testosterone.
    • Kapag mataas ang LH pero mababa pa rin ang testosterone, ibig sabihin hindi na tumutugon ang bayag—isang palatandaan ng testicular failure.

Pinagkaisahan ng Dalawang Pag-aaral

Kahit magkaiba ang disenyo ng pag-aaral (isa ay cohort study, isa ay real-world survey), parehong lumabas na:

  • Mababang testosterone = mas mataas ang tyansa ng maagang pagkamatay sa mga lalaki.
  • Maaaring maging bahagi na ng routine check-up sa mga lalaking may edad ang testosterone test, tulad ng cholesterol o blood sugar.

Paano Taasan ang Testosterone sa Natural na Paraan

Para sa mga Lalaki

  • Mag-ehersisyo gamit ang weights (squats, deadlifts)
  • Matulog ng 7–9 oras bawat gabi
  • Bawasan ang taba sa tiyan
  • Kumain ng healthy fats tulad ng olive oil at mani
  • Uminom ng zinc, magnesium, vitamin D3
  • Iwasan ang alak at sobrang asukal
  • Mag-manage ng stress – gamit ang pagdarasal, pagninilay, o paglalakad sa kalikasan

Para sa mga Babae

  • Mag-weight training para pataasin ang DHEA at testosterone
  • Panatilihin ang tamang timbang
  • Kumain ng sapat na protina at healthy fats
  • Matulog at umiwas sa stress
  • Isaalang-alang ang DHEA supplements (sa payo ng doktor)

Kailan Magpa-test?

Magpa-laboratory test kung may:

  • Panghihina
  • Pagbaba ng sex drive
  • Madaling pagod
  • Pagdagdag ng timbang
  • Hirap matulog
  • Mood swings

Konklusyon

Ayon sa dalawang pag-aaral, ang mababang testosterone ay isang malakas na tagapagpahiwatig ng panganib sa kalusugan ng mga lalaki, lalo na sa puso. Mabuting balita: ito ay maaari pang baguhin.

Sa tulong ng ehersisyo, sapat na tulog, tamang pagkain, at stress control, puwede nating mapanatili ang tamang testosterone level—nang natural at ligtas.

Huwag balewalain ang testosterone. Ito ay hindi lang hormone ng “pagkalalaki”—ito ay barometro ng pangkalahatang kalusugan at habang-buhay.

Huwag Magkasakit! Don’t Get Sick!

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