The Truth About Testosterone And Depression

Testosterone deficiency is a common cause of depression in men and can often go unrecognized. As a psychiatrist, what I see is the either the depressed man who doesn’t get enough improvement with antidepressants or the man who is not particularly sad, but instead angry, irritable or anxious, or negative.

Here are some of the other signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
Signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency
Behavioral
Decreased assertiveness/increased submissiveness
Decreased stress tolerance
Irritability
Depression or lowered mood
Anxiety

Dermatologic
Loss of body and pubic hair (scalp hair is preserved)
Diminished beard growth
Thinning and drying of skin (decreased sebum production)
Metabolic
Mild anemia
Diminished bone mineralization
Obesity or increased body fat (men)
Headaches
Reduced muscle volume and strength
Reduced general vigor and hardiness
Asthenia
Frailty (elderly)
Sexual
Decreased semen volume
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased sexuality (decreased libido, arousal, responsiveness)

There are some things that have been linked to having low testosterone. They don’t necessarily cause it, but there is a link. These things are:
Treated diabetes and obesity
Having chronic headaches,
Being over age 60
Having asthmas that has been treated
and sleeping less than 5 hr/night

There are some medications that can cause low testosterone
Cholesterol-lowering agents like Lipitor
Saw palmetto which is an over the counter treatment for enlarged prostate
Flaxseed oil
And a Zinc deficiency

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/questions, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[loudercast]

OMG!! All mental health professionals need to be telling patients to get their testosterone levels checked instead of throwing pills at them! Good video, wish all mental health professionals thought like you!

[Travieso]

G-d bless this woman for posting this. My depression was horrible until they found out that I had Low T due to COVID infection. It was brutal and felt i was a total nobody. What a big difference now that my hormones are normal.

[bamabelle]

I'm a woman who suddenly developed an anxiety disorder overnight. (I've had depression for awhile.) I was tested for everything by my GP & OB/GYN. I was found to have less than half the testosterone a woman should have. I decided to do some research on testosterone. I didn't realize that low T played such an important role in depression/anxiety disorder or that depression in men often went unrecognized due to their symptoms usually being different. I start medication next week. Good luck, guys. Maybe we'll get some relief soon.

[terrasai]

I am a 22 year old man who spent the last 4 years taking countless medications and seeing several psychiatrists for my mental health but nothing worked. Just happened to have a blood test done last week and found out my testosterone level is very low. Seeing my primary doctor about it tomorrow! Hopefully this is the reason because I’m losing hope.

[mrfearless]

As a young male, after switching so many antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzos, after seeing so many psychiatrists no one ever told me i might have testosterone defficiency. This video changed the game for me. You are really a Godsent dr.Marks. God bless you, Thank you for helping so many people!

[peanutbutterbaby]

Im very glad I found this video. I am FTM transgender who has taken testosterone supplementation (injections) for 4 years now and it baffles me that this connection between low mood and low testosterone has never been drawn... due to a severe depression I often found myself administering my shot 1-3 days late. I was never able to get it on track because my mood only got worse each week. it was only once i began taking the medication on time that my depression lifted.

[MrBenflanagan]

If I was only told that in my twenties. After undergoing 15 years of antidepressants and cbt. Thank you.

[markhou]

Great video Doc. You have a way to summarize without dumbing down.

Unfortunately here in Canada, GPs refuse to test total T or even SHBG because it's too expensive!

[robotaholic]

I was diagnosed with this problem. I started taking t 3 weeks ago with a shot per week and and i just realized halfway through your video i told my mom i am less depressed today...and I told her i might be coming out of depression and only now listening to your video inconnected the two it must be from low testosterone. 🤩🤘 depression has stolen 1 year of my life and maybe anhedonia will go away...i hope so. Im one of the self loathing ones

[oidodsonidosonido]

Hey Doc, thanks for taking your time to make this videos they really do make a difference and help a lot of people thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us..

[JamesS]

Thanks Dr. Tracy. You gave me more useful information about his than my GP and my endo

[johnm]

You have one of the best channels on youtube.

[tzahi]

Injections of testosterone has made me feel better than any SSRIs medications.. TRT is the best treatment for depression and anxiety for men.

[JS-sjdn]

In my experience, General practitioners don’t want to touch trt.

[youngmystery]

I’m 32 I been going through depression for 12 years now. I got my testosterone checked today. It was 265. The doctor told me I had the test levels of a 65 year old man. I started trt today hoping for a change

[guitarhack]

Dealing with the exact topic now Doc. Your video was spot on. Thanks and Good for us!

[PattymacMakes]

Bodies are so complicated! It's over whelming the number of chemical reactions going on inside of each of us every minute of every day. Truly shows how every one of us is different and we all require different protocols. Do you have an opinion on BIO Identical hormone replacement? The kind administered via an MD where blood levels are monitored and hormones adjusted.

[BullChain-hjzj]

She actually cares about men. God bless this doctor.

[RuthCRucoco]

My FREE T is 3 nmol/L which is definitely on the SUPER LOW end of <25.

I have horrific CPTSD & am gonna RE-ASK my GP to prescribe me this tomorrow (after a Flat No 3 weeks ago!!!).

I sure hope & pray this works for me as Ive read; its literally SAVED THE LIVES of so many others!!! (For PTSD & Anxiety & Depression)

[bubbleslafleur]

Dr. Mark's, you are just so wonderful. You provide great information in easy to understand terms. You present everything calmly. And, my husband and I love that you post the main points of your discussion in the area below the arrow. Thank you so much for this truly amazing public service. Sue