While the literature does not support a consistent relationship between testosterone levels and depressive symptoms most studies do suggest that lower testosterone levels are associated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, TRT has been shown to improve depressive symptoms in most men.
Studies suggest that people with low testosterone (low T) may experience depression, anxiety, and fatigue, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Testosterone may promote higher levels of serotonin, which has a role in boosting mood and decreasing depression.
Low testosterone and depression share a lot of the same symptoms, including: Irritability. Mood swings. Decreased libido.
The hormone also plays a role in your state of mind, including how well your brain works. That's why low testosterone has been linked with symptoms such as mood swings, increased stress, and depression.
Fatigue is a common effect of low testosterone. You might feel like you just don't have the energy that you're used to. Or you might be incredibly tired. But many other things can sap your energy, too, including normal aging and depression.
What does Low-T look like? A person with Low-t would be indistinguishable from a person with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. This can be especially true if you are not looking for it, and most of us are not looking at a depressed patient thinking it could be Low-t.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials found a significant reduction of depressive symptoms after treatment with testosterone, but this effect was seen mainly in participants who received higher doses.
Testosterone also plays an important role in enhancing mood and improving concentration. For most men, testosterone levels hit their highest points in early adulthood and start to decline around age 40.
Other warning signs of low testosterone include brittle bones and poor focus. "Many patients report that they feel like they have brain fog," says Tamler. "Often, that fog lifts once I treat them."
Untreated testosterone deficiency will greatly increase your risk for developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related diseases.
Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.
These cases suggest that a moderately reduced serum level of free testosterone may contribute to the ADHD symptoms of some adult male ADHD patients, and that testosterone treatment may be of value for these patients.
Low Testosterone can Occur Because of Aging or an Underlying Condition. While getting older is generally the main cause of low testosterone in many men, low T levels can also be a symptom of other underlying conditions or comorbidities. According to the Asian Journal of Andrology, these conditions may include: Obesity.
If you suffer from low testosterone, treatment options are available that can help return your testosterone levels to normal. To put it simply, low testosterone isn't something that has to be permanent. With proper treatment and some lifestyle changes, you can overcome the troubling symptoms associated with low T.
“Men with low testosterone find that their emotional reserves are lower,” he says. “They have a shorter fuse. In popular culture, people link male anger with high testosterone, but as a rule we see it more in men with low testosterone -- most commonly when levels are dropping. That's when men get cranky.”