Two Common Causes of Depression in Men

Comments: 3 | June 12th, 2017

Depression is commonly associated with women, but make no mistake, men can become equally down and depressed, too. They may not talk about it as much as women do, nor seek help, but it definitely happens. Today we’re going to share two very common causes of depression in men that can be resolved naturally.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression can make a man feel sad, tired, irritable and empty inside. He may feel hopeless, and lose interest in work, family and activities he used to like. He may not feel like himself anymore.

Two Common Causes of Depression in Men
While there are many causes of depression, such as nutritional deficiencies, stress, and loss of a loved one, today we are going to focus on two that are related to hormones: hypothyroidism and low testosterone.

Hypothyroidism and Depression
Hypothyroidism causes anxiety and depression. It is well recognized that disturbances in thyroid function may significantly affect mental status including emotion and cognition. Patients with thyroid disorders are more prone to develop depressive symptoms. Insufficient thyroid hormones can cause mood abnormalities, including depression, and it is generally reversible with adequate thyroid treatment. Furthermore, thyroid hormones are reported by many to be an effective treatment for depression. Thyroid disorders including both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may be accompanied by various neuropsychiatric manifestations ranging from mild depression and anxiety to overt psychosis. (1) Study results showed a significant association of hypothyroidism with psychiatric disorders. (2)

Low Testosterone and Depression
Low testosterone causes depression, depressed sex drive, nervousness, irritability, feeling ill at ease, and worry. Research findings suggest that testosterone may produce antidepressant effects in depressed men with low testosterone levels. (3) Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men improves mood. (4) Research shows that men with low testosterone showed an increased incidence of depression. (5) Research suggests that testosterone treatment might improve depressed moods in older men who have low levels of testosterone. (6)

Dr. Hotze discusses a common underlying cause of depression:

If you’re feeling down and blue, unmotivated and like you’re losing interest in the things you used to love, please have your testosterone levels and thyroid function evaluated. Don’t suffer any longer. You will be surprised at how much better you feel when you optimize these two hormones.

Depression in men with a testosterone or thyroid hormone deficiency is often alleviated after they begin bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Take our symptom checker quiz to find out if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism and low testosterone.

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Research
1. The Link Between Thyroid Function and Depression
2. Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Psychiatric Disorders and Symptoms
3. Testosterone Gel Supplementation for Men with Refractory Depression: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
4. Testosterone Replacement in Hypogonadal Men with Angina Improves Ischaemic Threshold and Quality of Life
5. Increased Incidence of Diagnosed Depressive Illness in Hypogonadal Older Men
6. Bioavailable Testosterone and Depressed Mood in Older Men: The Rancho Bernardo Study