Does Low Testosterone Cause Depression? Our Review of Research

Depression and testosterone are closely interrelated, and this is a connection that deserves more attention.

Men are more likely to have depressive symptoms if they display low levels of testosterone, and vice versa, which many studies have shown.

As described by the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is “the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide.” – Source. Globally, depression affects “2% to 5% of the population at any given time.” – Source.

In one study by the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine at the University of California’s School of Medicine, the 25 men who displayed clinical depression defined by the Beck Depression Inventory also displayed lower levels of bioavailable testosterone by nearly 20% compared to all the other men.

The same study explained that “bioavailable testosterone levels in men decrease by as much as 40% between the ages of 40 and 70,” and also “reported that testosterone therapy significantly improved mood scores in 51 hypogonadal men.” – Source.

Low levels of testosterone could lead to depression, & depression may lead to low levels of testosterone!

As discussed in a previous article, low testosterone levels can occur due to a variety of reasons and can occur throughout any stage of life, and symptoms are displayed in unique ways depending on the person. While this is true, older men typically suffer the most.

This can be because although their testosterone may have started to lower decades before, symptoms only began to become a problem years later; or because medical professionals are only recently connecting low hormone levels as the root cause of many health issues – from depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, hair loss, sleep issues, etc.

Because having low levels of testosterone can dramatically affect many systems of your body and disrupt your everyday routine, it is clear how this can result in negative outcomes for your mental health. As Urologist Dr. Brannigan explained, “[they] see many men who have been treated clinically with antidepressants, when in turn their underlying problem is low testosterone.” – Source.

TRT and Serotonin

Testosterone Replacement therapy boosts the natural production of serotonin, a chemical that contributes to happiness, and is also thought to contribute to appetite, emotions, and motor, cognitive, and autonomic functions, as well as regular sleep-wake cycles.

Low levels of serotonin have been linked to changes in mood, poor memory, and can lead to sleep issues, anxiety, depression, aggression, and lower self-esteem. – Source.

It is evident that the symptoms and negative effects of low testosterone and low serotonin levels can be linked, overlapped, or contribute to each other.

There are many medications for depression but for some people, antidepressants don’t work as well or result in negative side effects due to the root of the depression being ignored – such as a hormone imbalance.

Monitoring labs with your Provider

At Rise Men’s Health, we consistently highlight the importance of quality labs and routine bloodwork to monitor your levels of testosterone throughout your treatment. This is especially important if you are hoping to improve mental health by addressing your root issue of hormone imbalance.

A medical study regarding the proper knowledge and testing of testosterone deficiency states that “of men who are treated with testosterone, nearly half do not have their testosterone levels checked after therapy commences.” – Source.

This is incredibly dangerous and can lead to a variety of complications.

Research has estimated that low testosterone levels affect anywhere from two to six million men in the United States. Yet, it is an incredibly underdiagnosed health issue, with only about 5% of those affected actually receiving treatment. This is due to a variety of reasons, but a big issue is the common misconceptions surrounding testosterone due to negative stigmas. Testosterone is vital for your body to function the way it is meant to. It is an important part of maintaining:

• Energy and strength
• Quality of sleep
• Mental health, mood, focus, and memory
• Muscle mass
• Bone strength and density

The Low down on Low T

If you think that your spouse or someone you care for is experiencing the following symptoms, you should talk to them about the possibility of having low testosterone levels:

• Always feeling tired with little to no energy? Especially in the afternoon?
• Drained & lacking motivation?
• Decreased libido and an increase in stress?
• Feeling off? Constantly run down?
• Easily irritated?
• Increase in body fat?
• Has losing weight become an ongoing struggle?

The next step is simple – Schedule a consultation with Rise Men’s Health.

Give us a call with questions! (817) 900-0304

And if you enjoyed this article or have any questions for us, please feel free to leave us a comment below! We’d love to hear from you!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

Medically peer reviewed by Jessica Zimmer, PA-C. Written by Our Editorial Team.

Sign up for our email list to receive updates and tips below. You will get a free low T quiz and some SWAG easy to read information.

Give us a call at (817) 900-0304 or sign-up through our online intake process if you would like to get started with treatment!

If you do have low testosterone it can be easily treated and monitored via telehealth with the same level of care as you would receive in our traditional clinic setting in Roanoke, Texas. Give us a call if you have any questions!