Men die younger than women in virtually every country in the world. On average, American men die 5-6 years earlier than American women. They have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and most cancers. And they're less likely to see a doctor, less likely to follow through on recommended care, and less likely to talk about health challenges. It's time to change that.
Why Men's Health Lags
The gap in health outcomes between men and women isn't primarily biological — it's behavioral. Men are less likely to seek preventive care, more likely to engage in risky behaviors, and more likely to ignore symptoms. Cultural messages that equate strength with stoicism and invulnerability create barriers to seeking help that have real, deadly consequences.
The Most Important Tests Men Should Have
- Comprehensive hormone panel: Testosterone (free and total), DHEA, cortisol, estradiol, and thyroid hormones. Testosterone begins declining at approximately 1% per year after 30 — most men have significantly lower levels than they realize.
- Cardiovascular risk assessment: Beyond standard lipid panels — ApoB, Lp(a), hsCRP, and advanced imaging when indicated provide a far more accurate picture of cardiovascular risk.
- Metabolic panel: Fasting insulin, HbA1c, and glucose to identify metabolic dysfunction before it becomes diabetes.
- PSA: Discuss timing with your provider based on family history and personal risk factors.
- Micronutrient testing: Vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and B12 are commonly deficient in men and directly affect energy, mood, and sexual health.
Testosterone and Men's Health
Testosterone is far more than a 'sex hormone.' It regulates muscle mass, bone density, red blood cell production, mood, cognitive function, cardiovascular health, and metabolic rate. Low testosterone — increasingly common in men of all ages — is associated with fatigue, weight gain, depression, sexual dysfunction, and increased mortality risk.
What Alive and Well Offers Men
Our integrative approach to men's health combines comprehensive testing with personalized protocols addressing hormonal optimization, metabolic health, cardiovascular risk reduction, and performance optimization. We take men's health seriously — and we'll partner with you to do the same.
