Depression and low testosterone

[whattodo]

Hello friends. I have registered an account here to just ask a little about depression and low testosterone if that's alright with anyone.

I don't want to get too detailed with everything -- but I've been suffering from depression for about two years or so. It's more along the lines of feeling apathetic and anhedonic, where I cannot feel any emotions, any sort of happiness or sadness. I can't really feel angry either, so it's really hard for someone to piss me off unless they're intentionally trying to piss me off. Even so, I don't really have any strong emotions... and thus it's really hard for to really form a connection with anyone anymore. I don't enjoy anything I do. I lift and stuff, socialize with friends, laugh, but none of it gives me that happiness pleasure feeling that I used to get. I listen to music and I can't really feel much of it, despite knowing what songs I "like" to hear... I still have songs that I prefer over others, etc., but it's not really the same like it was before I got sick. I don't know what's really wrong with me, and I know it might be a long shot trying to take a look at testosterone but it's something I haven't really put much thought about. I really do hope it's testosterone, because then it might be something I'd be able to do something about. I have gotten a blood test not too long ago but haven't gotten back to see the results... hopefully I can get around to getting that really soon.

-sigh- But yeah, I'm tired of waiting around. I'd love to hear people with experiences with the two and see if anything has changed... Whether it's going on TRT or something, or doing something to help increase testosterone. I've been lifting for a while, haven't really seen much.

Some of my symptoms:
- Depression
- Little to no libido, could care less about looking at girls
- No longer go crazy for looking at pretty/hot girls
- Feeling tired
- Anhedonic
- Apathetic

There's probably more to it, but yeah. Again, I do not know for sure if I have low testosterone but it definitely feels like it. I'm hoping it is. I also had my Vitamin D levels checked too so hopefully there's something I could do about that as well.

I don't really know. I probably got more to say but I probably should stop typing as it'll just make me go on and on.

[lovbyts]

1st off you need to get a full hormone panel blood work ran. Then if you have low T you need to find out why, Pituitary glands? Tumor? Jumping on TRT is not the answer, especially at 20.

You need to start by finding a doctor who will do the blood work and knows what he is doing. Self diagnosis is the last thing you want to do. Also if your doctor says he wants you to start taking antidepressants then just get up and walk out and find another doctor.

[whattodo]

Thank you for that. I understand I would need to get a full hormone panel rather than just a single testosterone test or whatever. I will ask my doctor more about that the next time I see him and get it tested.

I'm not immediately thinking of jumping on TRT. I'd just like to know more about it all.

And yeah, I don't want to deal with antidepressants. I've already taken a few before... it did nothing for me. Nothing for how empty I felt, nothing for my libido (I would say it killed it), and the side-effects were horrible and annoying to deal with. I'm tired of hearing about how you have to wait, how you have to find the right dose, the right medication...

[thisAngelBites]

Do you have any history of any medical problems of any kind? Every taken testosterone or any anabolic steroids in the past?

[Scabtree]

Hey whattodo:

First thing you should know is that you are not alone. There are millions of individuals who at some point in their lives have suffered from the exact same symptoms you have listed. You are not alone, nor do you have to go through this alone.

Something's to ask yourself - Have you had similar symptoms in the past? Do you have any family history of depression? Have there been any life changes that would contribute to you feeling this way? Have there been any physical changes (ie weight gain/loss) ? How are you sleeping ? ... These are just some things to think about, no need to post it ....

I would recommend a visit to your doc, mention these symptoms and as for a referral to a psychiatrist... it could be something really simple.

In the mean time, talk to your closest friends/family members; keep them informed.

[sfgiantsfan55]

just my two cents

i wouldnt pin all my hopes (pun semi intended?) on TRT therapy. IMO, it doesnt do alot for me as far as my temperment or depression -like issues ( never been clinically diagnosed but i know SOMETHING aint right). Id explore all options, and especially speaking with a therapist. Just makes me feel better talking with mine . Also, someone said earlier to talk with your family and close friends and id certainly agree with that.

Good luck.

[joeybull]

hi i have been on nebido 1000mg injection every 10 weeks for the past 3 years, but after 4 or 5 weeks i feel like crap again depression,anxiety and severe fatigue.i have been trying to tell my endo but he just wont listen,so i have started to self medicate with test e (250mg at week 3 and 6 i have to get t levels checked at 9 weeks will my t levels still be high from the test e shot at week 6?thank you in advance on any information

[whattodo]

Do you have any history of any medical problems of any kind? Every taken testosterone or any anabolic steroids in the past?

Not sure if I have any medical problems of any kind. I do have depression now, though. Never taken T or anabolic steroids before.

Hey whattodo:

First thing you should know is that you are not alone. There are millions of individuals who at some point in their lives have suffered from the exact same symptoms you have listed. You are not alone, nor do you have to go through this alone.

Something's to ask yourself - Have you had similar symptoms in the past? Do you have any family history of depression? Have there been any life changes that would contribute to you feeling this way? Have there been any physical changes (ie weight gain/loss) ? How are you sleeping ? ... These are just some things to think about, no need to post it ....

I would recommend a visit to your doc, mention these symptoms and as for a referral to a psychiatrist... it could be something really simple.

In the mean time, talk to your closest friends/family members; keep them informed.

Thanks. I have never really had any similar symptoms in the past. It has only started to happen about two years ago and it only seemed to have went downhill from there. I don't think anyone in my family has any history of depression... but I don't know for sure. I really doubt it though. As for life changes, I don't think so. I've always been a person who has a ****ed up sleep schedule and there really doesn't seem to be any events I'd recall that'd make me suddenly go into a depression mode... but yeah. Physical changes, well, after I started to get sick I actually been working out for the first time ever... I put on more pounds (I was really skinny) and got more muscles than ever before... but the past two months or so I've been putting on fat and it's not like I've been eating excessively or anything. I guess I just haven't been working out and eating as much.

I'm curious, why a psychiatrist? And some of my family members already know about it. My friends... well, some of them know a little bit about it.

just my two cents

i wouldnt pin all my hopes (pun semi intended?) on TRT therapy. IMO, it doesnt do alot for me as far as my temperment or depression -like issues ( never been clinically diagnosed but i know SOMETHING aint right). Id explore all options, and especially speaking with a therapist. Just makes me feel better talking with mine . Also, someone said earlier to talk with your family and close friends and id certainly agree with that.

Good luck.

That's unfortunate. I have spoken with a therapist before. For some reason, I just feel like talking it out with someone won't actually help my problems. Sure, it will make me feel a little better I guess but it's not gonna the thing that's gonna make me suddenly feel good and able to feel emotions and experience happiness and fun.

Things like laughter, I just can't seem to enjoy anymore. I'd always enjoy a good laugh before. I was easily able to just "laugh" without even trying... Now it's tough. My friend who I used to just laugh and chuckle at everything with... I can't seem to do that with him anymore and it's just weird trying to talk and fake it all.

[Scabtree]

I would recommend Psychiatrist because the symptoms you describe are text-book clinical depressive disorder; This specialist could determine if this is the case, and mitigate some of these symptoms.

[Low Testosterone]

I would say nearly 2/3 of all patients who come through our program that are on antidepressants discontinue all antidepressant use after being on TRT for an extended period of time. It's no secret that most antidepressant medications lower testosterone. It's a bit of a vicious cycle - you're depressed, take antidepressants to help, testosterone levels go down and now you're more depressed and so more antidepressants are needed. In many cases, I am NOT a fan of antidepressant meds as often the problems associated with the individual are hormonal or lifestyle. I would be careful and not turn to such things unless a last resort, which means I'd be careful with many psychiatrist. Having someone to talk to is one thing, getting a bunch of meds that actually make things worse in the long run is another.

[whattodo]

Well guys, I came back with my results... Total testosterone of 532, while my reference range was 241-827 ng/dL. Seems like it's more on the low end of the spectrum for someone who's 20 and about to be 21 really soon. I also got my vitamin D levels tested, was also in range. A bit low too, I would say, but still not deficient or anything. Eh, I don't know what to do anymore. Feels like I'm kinda lost in the dark. I understand depression is a tricky thing, thought testosterone might have played a role in it. What's the difference between total T and free T, though? Could there be people with total T within reference range and totally fine yet have free T being low or nothing at all?

I didn't really ask my doctor about it. Well, I kinda brought up about the other hormones and all but he said total T is all that really matters.

Anyways, there's probably more I wanted to say but I'm a bit tired out. I know a lot of you guys will say it's probably straight up depression and all... which makes me feel even more lost because depression is harder to fix...

[BallSak]

Well guys, I came back with my results... Total testosterone of 532, while my reference range was 241-827 ng/dL. Seems like it's more on the low end of the spectrum for someone who's 20 and about to be 21 really soon. I also got my vitamin D levels tested, was also in range. A bit low too, I would say, but still not deficient or anything. Eh, I don't know what to do anymore. Feels like I'm kinda lost in the dark. I understand depression is a tricky thing, thought testosterone might have played a role in it. What's the difference between total T and free T, though? Could there be people with total T within reference range and totally fine yet have free T being low or nothing at all?

I didn't really ask my doctor about it. Well, I kinda brought up about the other hormones and all but he said total T is all that really matters.

Anyways, there's probably more I wanted to say but I'm a bit tired out. I know a lot of you guys will say it's probably straight up depression and all... which makes me feel even more lost because depression is harder to fix...

That is because he is a dumbass. Your free T is what matters. Traumatic brain injuries, bad thyroid and low cortisol also cause depression, among many other things.

I'm a big believer that depression is caused by something, it doesn't just happen. I also believe you can manage depression if you are willing to put forth the effort and discipline.

[yettibecsuse]

Ten years ago I had bloods done and had low free t, but let it be. Then in the last year was on an a antidepressant, got full bloods it was lower went on trt, its jow been six months and went off my antidepressant because didn't need it anymore.

[sfgiantsfan55]

That is because he is a dumbass. Your free T is what matters. Traumatic brain injuries, bad thyroid and low cortisol also cause depression, among many other things.

I'm a big believer that depression is caused by something, it doesn't just happen. I also believe you can manage depression if you are willing to put forth the effort and discipline.

Mr Sak is totally correct, your total T means Jack.... its the free T numbers that count.... its like having a 600 horsepower engine, but your transmission cant take it , so what good does it do?

also, id highly recommend staying on this board and reading up, ive learned far more from here than anywhere else. i dont know if they have low t centers where you live but thats where i go (well long as my insurance holds out that is). they are very good.

[whattodo]

Hey guys. Sorry, haven't been on for a while because I kinda lost hope. I guess you guys are right. Total T alone might mean nothing... I'll probably get a blood test soon for the other hormone levels.

I've looked around, and it says that the average testosterone levels for someone who's 21 should be somewhere around 700 or 800, maybe even higher... For me, I'm only at 532... I feel like shit, I don't know if testosterone levels contribute to that shitty feel, but I have a feeling it does. I mean, I have little to no libido, no erection at all or really hard to maintain erection along with not being to get an erection without the use of my hands, depression, etc.

God dammit. Is there a place where I can learn more about other hormones other than just total T? I'll probably do a bit of searching around and trying to understand it all...

[rplante7]

This for Low T. Can you provide some clinical studies to support your claim that "most antidepressants lower testosterone"??

[whattodo]

Bump. Alright guys, just wondering if there's anyone else out here who has had a "low" total T for their age and felt better after it improved. Not low low to the point you'd wanna be on TRT but a lower than the average for their age group.

What other things are there to look out for? Have there also been people who have had okay or good readings for total T and such yet found out that total T wasn't really causing the shitty symptoms as much as some of the other hormones?

Just curious about it all guys. Need to do something about it :|

[BallSak]

Like was said before, you need to get a FULL hormone panel ran. Pretty much all hormone deficiencies can cause depression, not just testosterone.

I got my low T and low thyroid fixed and then my cortisol went to hell, which for me is worse than having low T.

Take action and get a FULL hormone panel done.

[APIs]

Since being on TRT the last 4 years, the only thing that gets me depressed is having dinner with my despicably ugly Mother-in-Law...

[whattodo]

Like was said before, you need to get a FULL hormone panel ran. Pretty much all hormone deficiencies can cause depression, not just testosterone.

I got my low T and low thyroid fixed and then my cortisol went to hell, which for me is worse than having low T.

Take action and get a FULL hormone panel done.

Thanks. Just want to be sure that I do get it all, what are the list of things I need to have checked?

FSH, LH, SHBG, E2, prolactin, cortisol, anything else?

[Bobbies]

Yeah, do thyroid, the actual hormones not just TSH.

Btw, does low testosterone cause a person to sleep a lot (hypersomnia)?

[whattodo]

I had my thyroid tests done a year back... These are my results:

T3 Uptake: 33 (22-35%)
T4 Total: 10.7 (4.5 - 12.0 mcg/dL)
Free T4 Index (T7): 3.5 ( 1.4 - 3.8 )
TSH: 0.85 (0.40 - 4.50 mIU/L)

Numbers in parentheses being the reference range. It came back fine apparently but I dunno much about reference ranges.

[BallSak]

I had my thyroid tests done a year back... These are my results:

T3 Uptake: 33 (22-35%)
T4 Total: 10.7 (4.5 - 12.0 mcg/dL)
Free T4 Index (T7): 3.5 ( 1.4 - 3.8 )
TSH: 0.85 (0.40 - 4.50 mIU/L)

Numbers in parentheses being the reference range. It came back fine apparently but I dunno much about reference ranges.

Those thyroid labs are pretty much worthless.
Get these.

Free T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
TSH
Antibodies

In addition, do all the tests suggested on the "finding a doc" sticky.