Not enough testosterone?

[StoneColdNTO]

Robert W. Griffith, MD
June 29, 1999 (Reviewed: October 2, 2002)


It is commonly accepted that much of the aggression seen in young men is associated with high blood levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. The amount of this hormone in the blood peaks around age 20, and is higher in men at times of success in competition and after strenuous exercise. It declines with age, however, at a fairly steady rate. It is not surprising, therefore, that people have questioned whether the depression often seen in elderly man is related to insufficient testosterone. A recent review has examined this question.

Testosterone has effects on both sexual and other behavior. Irritability, impulsiveness, depression and violence have all been related to high testosterone levels, showing that the hormone has effects other than those related to sex. Furthermore, in people with testosterone deficiency, physical changes are seen that are quite similar to those of the aging process - increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, and lessened facial hair; there is also loss of appetite and impaired memory. Testosterone replacement can reverse these changes in young patients, and, to a lesser extent, in older men. Little is known, however, about the benefits of such replacement treatment on the symptoms of depression seen in older men.

Fairly frequent attempts have been made to link testosterone levels with depressive illness. Two large studies measured morning testosterone levels and depressive symptom scores, but were unable to show a clear-cut association between the two. Other studies compared the testosterone levels in depressed men with those of non-depressed normal subjects. Again, there were no consistent associations. In one study the actual hormone level varied with the age of depressed patients, while there was no such relationship in normal control subjects. This suggests that depressed men may be more sensitive to the normal decline in testosterone levels with age.

Other publications describe the administration of testosterone to men with abnormally low levels. The hormone treatment increases friendliness, energy and well-being, and decreases nervousness, irritability, sadness and anger. However, testosterone treatment in patients with established depression has not been fully studied. Even in those studies where testosterone treatment improved the symptoms of depression, it is not evident whether this was due to a direct effect on the symptoms themselves, an indirect effect due to increased testosterone levels, or whether the benefits were merely a so-called "placebo response".

There is no doubt that testosterone administration has adverse effects in some patients - reduced plasma HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), increased formation of red blood cells and accelerated growth of an existing prostate cancer.

All these results are insufficient to allow the authors of the review to recommend that testosterone should be given for late-life depression in men. Further research is needed to see if any benefits obtained are greater than the possible risk of dangerous adverse effects. It seems that too little testosterone is not the obvious answer to depression in older men.

Source

Testosterone and depression in aging men. SN. Seidman , BT. Walsh , Am J Geriatr Psychiatry , 1999, vol. 7, pp. 18--33

[Perfection Awaits]

Good article, i completely agree.

[Nasdaq]

because depression for the most part in men is caused by life kicking the shit out of them...test helps you fight back at least but can't stop life from fucking you in the ass

[jonk430]

Great read as always SC.

[gator_mclusky]

Good read!

gator

[dznutzx]

Originally Posted by StoneColdNTO

Robert W. Griffith, MD
June 29, 1999 (Reviewed: October 2, 2002)


It is commonly accepted that much of the aggression seen in young men is associated with high blood levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. The amount of this hormone in the blood peaks around age 20, and is higher in men at times of success in competition and after strenuous exercise. It declines with age, however, at a fairly steady rate. It is not surprising, therefore, that people have questioned whether the depression often seen in elderly man is related to insufficient testosterone. A recent review has examined this question.

Testosterone has effects on both sexual and other behavior. Irritability, impulsiveness, depression and violence have all been related to high testosterone levels, showing that the hormone has effects other than those related to sex. Furthermore, in people with testosterone deficiency, physical changes are seen that are quite similar to those of the aging process - increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, and lessened facial hair; there is also loss of appetite and impaired memory. Testosterone replacement can reverse these changes in young patients, and, to a lesser extent, in older men. Little is known, however, about the benefits of such replacement treatment on the symptoms of depression seen in older men.

Fairly frequent attempts have been made to link testosterone levels with depressive illness. Two large studies measured morning testosterone levels and depressive symptom scores, but were unable to show a clear-cut association between the two. Other studies compared the testosterone levels in depressed men with those of non-depressed normal subjects. Again, there were no consistent associations. In one study the actual hormone level varied with the age of depressed patients, while there was no such relationship in normal control subjects. This suggests that depressed men may be more sensitive to the normal decline in testosterone levels with age.

Other publications describe the administration of testosterone to men with abnormally low levels. The hormone treatment increases friendliness, energy and well-being, and decreases nervousness, irritability, sadness and anger. However, testosterone treatment in patients with established depression has not been fully studied. Even in those studies where testosterone treatment improved the symptoms of depression, it is not evident whether this was due to a direct effect on the symptoms themselves, an indirect effect due to increased testosterone levels, or whether the benefits were merely a so-called "placebo response".

There is no doubt that testosterone administration has adverse effects in some patients - reduced plasma HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), increased formation of red blood cells and accelerated growth of an existing prostate cancer.

All these results are insufficient to allow the authors of the review to recommend that testosterone should be given for late-life depression in men. Further research is needed to see if any benefits obtained are greater than the possible risk of dangerous adverse effects. It seems that too little testosterone is not the obvious answer to depression in older men.

Source

Testosterone and depression in aging men. SN. Seidman , BT. Walsh , Am J Geriatr Psychiatry , 1999, vol. 7, pp. 18--33

Just because no relation is shown between test levels and depressive symptoms, DOES NOT mean anything at all.

Person a with 12 year old girl testosterone may be less depressed then person b who has a completely healthy hormone level. But this could all be due to other factors.

This doesn't generally mean having less testosterone than you should won't leave you slightly more depressed than if you had healthy levels. There are too many factors involved in depression to judge this. Attitude, life-style, women, money, other genetic make-ups in your body, diet, tons of things.

You will never see an obvious link that all the low hormone level people are more depressed than people with healthy levels. but this doesn't mean they wouldn't feel a bit better if their hormone levels were accurate.

[jeremy 123]

i had blood work done and my tets said my testosteron levels were at 128 so my doc finally got me cyp and he has me taking a half a cc every for weeks from reading the forums its deffently to low how should i tell him to change it ive been in 3 bad car accidents im on pain killers im always in pain always tierd i gained weight for no reason i work outside building highrises in new york i come home dead with the cyp is there anything else i can get maybe over the counter that may work please email me if possible at jklein-123@hotmail.com thank you

[King-kong]

Low test levels are associated with pain killer usage. Especially percocets. Quit the painkillers and I guarantee after your head clears you will feel a lot better.

[jeremy 123]

i cant stop my pain killers i was in three car accidents and i work outside in in ny