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.
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