Study finds link between low testosterone and higher death risk in men

According to a study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, a low baseline serum testosterone concentration in men is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality.

Low testosterone levels in men have been linked to a higher risk of death due to several health factors. Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and red blood cell production, and it influences mood and cognitive function.

When testosterone levels are low, men are more susceptible to conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome, all of which can significantly increase mortality risk. Additionally, low testosterone can lead to decreased physical fitness and frailty, further exacerbating health risks. The combination of these factors contributes to an overall higher death risk in men with low testosterone levels.

In the study conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia, 11 studies comprising over 24,000 participants were reviewed to clarify the associations of sex hormones with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in aging men. Individual patient data (IPD) was used to summarize relationships between baseline hormone concentrations and the relative risk for CVD events, CVD deaths, and all-cause mortality.

The results showed that only men with low total testosterone concentrations had higher risks for all-cause mortality. A key finding was that men with a testosterone concentration below 7.4 nmol/L faced a higher risk for all-cause mortality, regardless of LH concentration. Additionally, men with a testosterone concentration below 5.3 nmol/L had an increased risk of cardiovascular death.

“Our research underscores the importance of understanding the impact of sex hormones on health outcomes, particularly in aging men. By obtaining raw data from nine of the included studies and re-analysing it collectively, the research team was able to conduct a more comprehensive analysis with robust testing for associations. This pioneering study marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the link between testosterone levels and mortality risks in men, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical practice,” said Lead author Professor Bu Yeap from UWA’s Medical School.

Reference: Bu B. Yeap, MBBS, PhD, et al.; Associations of Testosterone and Related Hormones With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Men: Individual Participant Data Meta-analyses; Annals of Internal Medicine; https://doi.org/10.7326/M23-2781