Low testosterone levels linked to higher risk of dying early, new research suggests

Low testosterone is can cause symptoms like brain fog and fatigue, but new research suggests it's linked to higher risk of dying early, too.

• A study of 24,109 men found low testosterone linked to a higher risk of early death.
• The findings suggest the hormone is an important indicator of health and longevity for men. 
• It's not clear whether hormone therapy boosts longevity but habits like diet and exercise can help. 

Testosterone levels may be an important indicator of longevity for men, new research suggests.

A study of more than 24,000 men from around the world found that low testosterone was linked to a higher risk of dying early, according to a study published May 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from the University of Western Australia worked with a global team of scientists to compare baseline testosterone levels to health outcomes using data from previous studies on older men, ranging in age from late 40s to mid-70s on average.

They found a higher risk of dying early, from any cause, among men with a low baseline testosterone level — defined as below 213 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Healthy testosterone levels can range from 260 to 900 ng/dL depending on age, a urologist previously told Business Insider.

The analysis also found that men with very low testosterone levels (below 153 ng/dL) had a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

The findings are observational, which means the researchers found a pattern but didn't directly show that low testosterone causes a higher mortality rate.

Still, the new study helps to shed light on mixed research around longevity and the hormone, particularly when it comes to boosting low testosterone with hormone therapy, an independent researcher wrote in an editorial published alongside the study.

Testosterone is a big deal in the longevity and biohacking field

The latest study focused on endogenous testosterone, the kind naturally occurring in the body, not hormone therapy. However, understanding how testosterone may help or hurt longevity could make big waves in the booming hormone therapy market of products and services advertised to help men reclaim their youth with pills, patches, injections, or gels.

Many of the entrepreneurs touting testosterone as an anti-aging panacea are also involved in biohacking, using science to try to optimize health and extend lifespan.

However, as yet, it's not clear whether supplementing testosterone will boost longevity, and there's some evidence to the contrary. The FDA previously issued a warning that testosterone-boosting treatments may raise the risk of heart attack or stroke, although subsequent research has since found no significant increase in heart problems.

Signs of low testosterone, and what to do about it

Testosterone levels tend to drop with age and can also dip in response to health conditions and medications.

Low testosterone can cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and disruptions in mood and libido.

Lifestyle factors such as eating a nutritious diet, getting enough exercise, and managing stress are linked to healthy testosterone levels and can also play a role in preventing heart disease and other chronic conditions.

Treatments like hormone replacement therapy via pill, injection, gel, or patch can help raise testosterone to normal levels. However, medical supervision is key to avoid any unexpected side effects of changing hormone levels, doctors previously told Business Insider.