Biomarkers · Aging & Senescence
Leukocyte Telomere Length
Higher values go with lower risk of death. Not measured in our NHANES panel. The curve is drawn from the published study (source below).
Leukocyte Telomere Length and risk of death
Published curve higher than the NHANES fitNHANES fit higher
Risk of death relative to the curve's reference value, drawn from the published study (source below).
What studies found when this marker was changed
They describe what happened in those study groups, not a recommendation. See all catalogued interventions.
Measured changes in Leukocyte Telomere Length, study by study
1 effect with a numeric size, each from one study arm: the dot is the reported change, the line its 95% interval where one was given. Green points move the marker the way lower risk of death lies; amber the other way. Study results in the groups studied, not predictions for a person.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| supplement | Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily for 4 years in US adults (women >=55, men >=50) | Vitamin D3 reduced leukocyte telomere attrition by 0.14 kb (95% CI 0.007-0.27) over 4 years vs placebo (~0.035 kb/year) | RCT | Zhu H, Manson JE, Cook NR, et al. Vitamin D3 and marine omega-3 fatty acids… |
What else moves this marker
They describe those study groups, not an individual, and an association is not a cause.
Diseases and conditions
| What | Effect on the marker | Comparison · population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ↓ Alzheimer's disease · AD patients vs controls | SMD -0.7 (95% CI -0.95 to -0.46) | AD patients vs controls · 30 telomere-length datasets; 2248 AD patients, 4865 controls | meta analysis · PMID 34654043 |
| ↓ Bipolar disorder · bipolar disorder patients vs healthy controls | SMD +0.18 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.39) | bipolar disorder vs healthy controls (shorter telomeres in patients) · 19 observational studies in meta-analysis; bipolar patients vs healthy controls | meta analysis · PMID 40209537 |
| ↑ Polycystic ovary syndrome · non-pregnant women with vs without PCOS | SMD +0.25 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.51) | PCOS vs controls (leukocyte telomere length) · 6 studies; 1155 women with PCOS, 954 without | meta analysis · PMID 35254177 |
| ↓ Schizophrenia · schizophrenia patients vs healthy controls | SMD +0.35 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.6) | schizophrenia vs healthy controls (shorter telomeres in patients) · 19 observational studies in meta-analysis; schizophrenia/bipolar patients vs healthy controls | meta analysis · PMID 40209537 |
Sources
- Risk curve: Wang Q 2018 (PMID 30254001): all-cause HR 1.09 (1.06-1.13) per 1 SD decrement in leukocyte telomere length. Scaled to US values (NHANES).
- Wang Q, Zhan Y, Pedersen NL, Fang F, Hägg S. Telomere length and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis. Ageing Research Reviews. 2018;48:11-20.
Map Leukocyte Telomere Length against another biomarker.
Related markers: Alpha-Klotho · DNA Methylation Age Acceleration (PhenoAge/GrimAge) · Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number