Can Low Testosterone Cause Anxiety And Depression? (Read Now)

The increase in age in men and the resultant testosterone deficit caused by aging are linked to several psychopathological symptoms, the most predominant being depression and anxiety.

The testosterone hormone is crucial for males’ physical and reproductive system development, particularly during puberty. The condition wherein the male body produces less testosterone than required is known as hypogonadism.

Can it cause anxiety and depression? Let us understand this in more detail.

Anxiety And Depression Due to Testosterone Deficiency: What is The Link?

There is a complex relationship between hypogonadism or low testosterone levels and vague physiological symptoms of depression and anxiety. Muscle loss, sadness, fatigue, impotence, and reduced sex drive are just a few of the many effects caused due to testosterone deficiency.

It cannot be denied that the above symptoms might very well trigger severe anxiety and depression in males.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Insufficient testosterone production or the male sex hormone by Leydig cells in the testicles can trigger this condition. But what primarily causes testosterone deficit in males?

Here are the causes:

• Age is the key causative factor as the body tends to experience a gradual reduction in testosterone levels naturally beyond the age of 30
• Excessive body fat content (Obesity)
• Autoimmune diseases (chronic)
• Malfunctioning thyroid gland
• Issues with the pituitary and hypothalamus affecting hormone synthesis
• Testicular damage/tumor and negative impact due to constant exposure to chemotherapy and medication for cancer treatment
• Persistent illnesses and sexually transmitted infections in the body
• In rare cases, the male testicles might be affected at the time of birth due to Klinefelter Syndrome or Noonan Syndrome
• Congenital conditions such as Kallmann syndrome or Prader-Willams Syndrome
• Hemochromatosis
• Alcohol abuse
• HIV/AIDS can also hamper testosterone production
• Liver cirrhosis
• High Sugar, Blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
• Kidney problems
• Abnormal development of male sex organs since birth
• The gradual development of OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea after prolonged snoring
• Inadequately managed or treated Type 2 Diabetes
• Overuse of narcotics and antidepressants

How LOW is Low Testosterone?

According to the American Urology Association (AUA), blood testosterone content below 300 ng/dL indicate testosterone deficiency.

A normal testosterone range for teenagers aged 15 to 16 is 100 to 1200 ng/dL. Testosterone levels during adolescence should be between 300 and 1200 ng/dL. The normal, acceptable range for an adult male aged 19 years or older is between 240 and 950 ng/dL.

Note – ng/dL stands for nanograms per deciliter which is a standard medical unit for measuring testosterone levels.

Low Testosterone: Key Statistics Showing Prevalence

As per the American Urological Association, 2 out of every 100 American males experience testosterone deficiency.

Generally, males under the age of 30 have a 1% chance of developing lower levels of testosterone. Men over 80 have a 50% chance and are more susceptible to low testosterone.

Moreover, diabetic and obese males are at increased risk for testosterone deficiency. They should focus on improving their lifestyle via weight management to address this issue effectively.

Research shows that diabetes and type 2 diabetes were majorly found to increase the likelihood of testosterone deficiency. Stats indicate that around 24.5 diabetic males and 30% of males in the obese weight category had lower than normal testosterone levels.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Here is the list of the most common signs and symptoms of low testosterone. Some physiological and psychological symptoms have a direct association with testosterone deficit.

• Low or no sperm count causes infertility in males
• Decreased libido
• Negative impact on memory
• Reduction in the size of testicles
• Erectile dysfunction
• Hair thinning and affected beard growth
• Obesity and depression or mood disorder symptoms
• Extreme exhaustion
• Lack of pubic hair growth
• Lean muscle is hampered, causing the body to lose firm masculinity

Can Low Testosterone Cause Anxiety And Depression?

Your distinctively masculine features, such as your hair, beard, physique, manly voice, etc., are attributed to testosterone, a sex hormone. It also improves cognitive function and promotes masculine strength along with sex drive.

A drop in testosterone levels can cause direct disturbances to your brain function and trigger irregular brain activity. Therefore, depression, anxiety, and extreme lethargy are bound to creep in with the decline in testosterone in your body.

Are Anxiety and Testosterone Deficiency Connected?

Anxiety and low testosterone are not directly linked to each other. But there is enough evidence that points to the indirect relationship between the two conditions, as testosterone deficiency is also responsible for mood instability in most males.

Research suggests that testosterone plays a role in regulating your entire spectrum of moods and emotions. The higher the testosterone levels in males, the better, as the possibility of having constant mood swings and anxiety is much lower.

So, anxiety is more common in males suffering from low testosterone levels. Depression and anxiety indirectly caused due to fatigue, sleep problems, and affected dopamine concentrations in the brain are also two of the most common symptoms of testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone is also a mood booster responsible for increasing serotonin levels and helping fight off depression.

Lower testosterone level causes depression, which can also trigger a wide range of other symptoms, such as loss of appetite, lack of motivation and interest, irritability, sleep disorders, and more.

In such cases, constant worry can also lead to severe anxiety disorders. Therefore, anxiety and depression can co-occur due to low testosterone in your body.

Is TRT or Testosterone Replacement Therapy The Solution?

Increasing testosterone with TRT or Testosterone Replacement Therapy may alleviate your depression and anxiety. There are many ways to achieve this under strict medical supervision.

You can go for different delivery methods approved by your primary care physician, such as injections, patches, topical applications, etc. And some doctors might even prescribe Clomid to boost your testosterone levels.

Conclusion

Although the exact reasons for depression and anxiety due to low testosterone are unclear, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, anxious thought patterns, panic episodes, and severe depression are commonly experienced and reported by men with serious testosterone deficiency.

The most plausible explanation is that more testosterone promotes a happy state of mind because it triggers the release of dopamine responsible for feelings of pleasure. So, when there is a decline in testosterone, the opposite effect is more likely to occur.

In any case, we recommend thorough testing to assess the severity of testosterone deficiency and work on the right treatment protocol with your doctor.

Contact your primary care physician if you’re experiencing an unusual surge of negative emotions regularly. Your doctor might also recommend a few physical examinations, including a detailed blood report to establish the most effective treatment approach.