Low testosterone is one of the most overlooked causes of depression and other serious mood disorders in males. So much so that when I see a new male client (of a certain age) for the first time who presents with mood disorders, I always suggest to them they ask their physician to check their testosterone levels. The response I am usually met with (in most cases after some uncomfortable shifting and stuttering) is, “But my sex drive is great, there’s no way I have low testosterone.”
Low sex drive isn’t always an indicator of low testosterone. Other common signs, which many men do not realize are tied to low testosterone, include fatigue, memory loss, and mood changes. Because testosterone influences many physical processes in the body, it can also impact mood and mental capacity. Research suggests that men with low T are more likely to face depression, irritability, or a lack of focus.
The good news is low testosterone is very easy to treat. The bad news is there is a mega-taboo surrounding this issue. Many men find it difficult to open their minds to the possibility they may be affected by this issue. Not surprisingly, if you Google “low testosterone” the first websites that come up include sites that promise “discreet results” and “discreet testing”. The truth is there’s no more shame in having low testosterone as there is in, say, having high blood pressure. It’s a very common issue with low T affecting 2 out of every 100 men. Surprised? If you are, that’s a good show of how little this issue is talked about. Low T does not mean you are less of a man, it just means your body is aging. As men age, testosterone levels usually drop. In some men, it drops low enough to affect them emotionally, mentally, as well as physically (weight gain, hair loss, loss of muscle mass, etc.)
I’ll leave you with a short story of one of many of my experiences with clients affected by low T. Tony (name changed to protect privacy) came to see me with complaints of severe mood swings, including irritability and depression. I suggested he get his T levels checked, as I do to almost all my male clients. He was receptive and confessed he’d never even thought that may be a factor. He followed up with his doctor and, sure enough, it was discovered he had severely low testosterone levels. After a few weeks of supplement therapy, he noticed a significant improvement in his mood. That was Tony’s only visit with me. Correcting his testosterone levels resulted in a better mood, fewer mood swings, and overall happiness. In this case, therapy led to just some T.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I struggle more than people know.” Michael Phelps
