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Home > Archive > Impotence Support > March 2006 > Anti-depressants needed after having had low Testosterone for a long time?
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Anti-depressants needed after having had low Testosterone for a long time?
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| Hi,
I just wonder if there's anyone who has had a low Testosterone level for a
long time (many years), and during that time developed depression? In that
case, was it enough to restore the Testosterone level to normal to get out
of the depression? Or can it be that a non-Testosterone dependant depression
develops during the period of low Testosterone? In that case can
anti-depressants be needed (in addition to restoring the Testosterone level)
to combat the depression?
Please comment.
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| Wanderer 2006-03-22, 12:33 pm |
| On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 12:41:26 -0500, John wrote
(in message <44170144$0$27795$6d36acad@titian.nntpserver.com> ):
> Hi,
>
> I just wonder if there's anyone who has had a low Testosterone level for a
> long time (many years), and during that time developed depression? In that
> case, was it enough to restore the Testosterone level to normal to get out
> of the depression? Or can it be that a non-Testosterone dependant depression
> develops during the period of low Testosterone? In that case can
> anti-depressants be needed (in addition to restoring the Testosterone level)
> to combat the depression?
Low testosterone can cause depression without any other factors being
present, no doubt about it. Also, for a fact, replacing or enhancing
testosterone production to normal levels will definitely alleviate T-related
depression. In my own case, the effects were dramatic, literally in a matter
of days. As for anti-depressants, they have been implicated in lowering
levels of testosterone (possibly one of the reasons they often induce sexual
dysfunction). If you are severely depressed and have no other option but to
try anti-depressants, Welbutrin is probably the optimal choice. But I have a
question: have you been diagnosed with low T, or are you just surmising that
this may be a possible cause of your depression? Blood work is the fastest,
surest way to find out.
If you have already been diagnosed with low T and are wondering whether this
could be the cause of your depression, that's really easy to figure out. Go
on a T regimen for a week or two and see if you feel better.
W
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| >> Hi,
>
> Low testosterone can cause depression without any other factors being
> present, no doubt about it. Also, for a fact, replacing or enhancing
> testosterone production to normal levels will definitely alleviate
> T-related
> depression. In my own case, the effects were dramatic, literally in a
> matter
> of days. As for anti-depressants, they have been implicated in lowering
> levels of testosterone (possibly one of the reasons they often induce
> sexual
> dysfunction). If you are severely depressed and have no other option but
> to
> try anti-depressants, Welbutrin is probably the optimal choice. But I have
> a
> question: have you been diagnosed with low T, or are you just surmising
> that
> this may be a possible cause of your depression? Blood work is the
> fastest,
> surest way to find out.
>
> If you have already been diagnosed with low T and are wondering whether
> this
> could be the cause of your depression, that's really easy to figure out.
> Go
> on a T regimen for a week or two and see if you feel better.
>
> W
Thanks for the answers. I've been diagnosed with borderline low T. I've
tried TRT and it clearly helps, but not enough. Also, I've tried some anti
depressants alone (i.e. when not on TRT) without much success. That was why
I wondered if it might be that a non-T dependant depression has developed,
and that I need an anti-depressant in parallell with TRT to get back to
normal?
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| Wanderer 2006-03-22, 12:33 pm |
| On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:29:08 -0500, John wrote
(in message <44184ff4$0$8837$6d36acad@titian.nntpserver.com> ):
>
> Thanks for the answers. I've been diagnosed with borderline low T. I've
> tried TRT and it clearly helps, but not enough. Also, I've tried some anti
> depressants alone (i.e. when not on TRT) without much success. That was why
> I wondered if it might be that a non-T dependant depression has developed,
> and that I need an anti-depressant in parallell with TRT to get back to
> normal?
Please tell us more about the type of TRT you explored -- which form of T did
you use, in what amount, how long, etc. If it helped significantly, you might
want to try fine-tuning your TRT regimen to see if results can be improved
before exploring antidepressant meds.
W
| |
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| >> Thanks for the answers. I've been diagnosed with borderline low T. I've
>
> Please tell us more about the type of TRT you explored -- which form of T
> did
> you use, in what amount, how long, etc. If it helped significantly, you
> might
> want to try fine-tuning your TRT regimen to see if results can be improved
> before exploring antidepressant meds.
>
> W
I tried Andriol tablets (Testosterone Undecanoate) 3 x 40 mg / day, which
initially gave very good results, but the positive effects faded away after
a few days. Actually, the my condition was like a rollercoaster - throughout
each day I felt best after taking the Andriol tablets and then gradually got
worse (more tired etc) and was worst just before taking the next dose. After
about 1 week, even during the best period of the day I did not feel any
better than before I took Andriol. Due to this I quit after about 2 weeks.
I then tried Androgel 5-10 g/day, which had a more consistent effect,
although not as good as the best periods while on Andriol. It had a positive
effect on the erectile functioning, the mood, and a little bit on the
libido. However, I never reached a "normal" state. I therefore quit after
2-3 months in order to avoid testicular atrophy.
Unfortunately I don't have any hormone measurements from either of these TRT
trials. The Andriol treatment was approved by a doctor who just said we
should try and see if it helped, but didn't bother checking up on the T
level. The Androgel I tried on my own, since I couldn't find a doctor
willing to let me try it.
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| Wanderer 2006-03-22, 12:33 pm |
| On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 16:17:53 -0500, John wrote
(in message <44188580$0$9687$6d36acad@titian.nntpserver.com> ):
>
> I tried Andriol tablets (Testosterone Undecanoate) 3 x 40 mg / day, which
> initially gave very good results, but the positive effects faded away after
> a few days. Actually, the my condition was like a rollercoaster - throughout
> each day I felt best after taking the Andriol tablets and then gradually got
> worse (more tired etc) and was worst just before taking the next dose. After
> about 1 week, even during the best period of the day I did not feel any
> better than before I took Andriol. Due to this I quit after about 2 weeks.
>
> I then tried Androgel 5-10 g/day, which had a more consistent effect,
> although not as good as the best periods while on Andriol. It had a positive
> effect on the erectile functioning, the mood, and a little bit on the
> libido. However, I never reached a "normal" state. I therefore quit after
> 2-3 months in order to avoid testicular atrophy.
>
> Unfortunately I don't have any hormone measurements from either of these TRT
> trials. The Andriol treatment was approved by a doctor who just said we
> should try and see if it helped, but didn't bother checking up on the T
> level. The Androgel I tried on my own, since I couldn't find a doctor
> willing to let me try it.
These results are fairly common. Androgel is notorious for creating estradiol
problems, which probably accounts for the roller coaster effect. Testosterone
goes up and you feel great initially... then estradiol zooms and you feel
worse than when you started. I am less familiar with Testosterone
Undecanoate, but I believe this is old school TRT.
The goal of TRT is to stabilize T at normal levels without screwing up levels
of other hormones (like estradiol). If you are worried about testicular
atrophy, the logical place to start would have been HCG therapy, which
basiclaly tricks your body into producing more testosterone. If that doesn't
work, Testosterone Cypionate is the next stop on the train. This is typically
a once-weekly self-injection, which produces very stable levels of T, usually
without the estradiol problems.
If the size of your testicles is an issue, you can supplement T cypionate
with HCG. From what you have posted, it sounds to me as if low T could be the
source of your depression. You just need a knowledgeable doctor to help you
embark on the right form of TRT for your situation.
If you have been treating yourself with drugs obtained online, you stand very
little chance of success.
W
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