Older Men With Low Testosterone Face Greater Depression Risk

THURSDAY, March 6 – An Australian study says that older men with low testosterone levels have an increased risk of depression.

Investigating Older men’s Mental and Hormonal Health

Between 2001 and 2004, researchers at the University of Western Australia in Perth studied 3,987 males aged 71 to 89. The researchers tested the men for depression and cognitive difficulties after they provided demographic and health information. The researchers also checked the men’s testosterone levels.

Researchers found that 203 men met the depression criteria. These men had significantly lower total and free testosterone levels, which were not bound to proteins, compared to those who weren’t depressed. The researchers controlled for cognitive scores, education level, and body-mass index. After their analysis, they concluded that men with the lowest 20 percent of free testosterone faced a threefold increase in depression risk. This was in comparison to men in the highest quintile.

Investigating Neurotransmitters, Hormones, and Depression Link

The March Archives of General Psychiatry issue published the findings. The study authors believe that alterations in neurotransmitters or hormones in the brain might be the reason for the link between low hormone levels and depression risk. However, further research is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

The researchers wrote, “A randomized controlled trial is essential. Its purpose is to determine if reducing prolonge exposure to low free testosterone links to a decline in depression among elderly men.” Furthermore, they note, “If confirms, screening older men with depression for free testosterone levels might be beneficial. Thus, Testosterone supplementation could be key to treating older hypogonadal men with depression.”

Exploring Depression’s Prevalence and Gender Dynamics

According to the study’s background information, depression affects people at any given time. In addition, It impacts between 2 percent and 5 percent of the population. Though women have a higher likelihood of depression than men, this disparity fades by age 65. Thus,  A number of previous studies have suggested that sex hormones may be a factor.

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