Men typically turn to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to increase libido & ramp up their sex drive.
But did you know TRT can also improve feelings of anxiety and depression?
You heard right.
TRT was commonly prescribed 50 years ago for depression in men, but the treatment was replaced with the introduction of antidepressant drugs.
How unfortunate…
…Because new research shows TRT potentially leads to dramatic improvements in mood and libido.
Low Testosterone: How Low Is Too Low?
First, you should know your scores and find out how much below normal score ranges you are.
Let’s get sciency, shall we?
Normally functioning adult male testicles produce an average of 7mg of testosterone per day,
1 milligram = 1,000,000 nanograms
1 liter = 10 deciliter
There are 5 liters of blood in the average adult male body.
This means that the average male “total testosterone” output into the bloodstream is:
7,000,000ng / 50 dL = 140,000 ng / dL total testosterone per day.
Using an often accepted 800ng/dL “reference” measurement for “optimal” testosterone, it could be proven that the assay is revealing 1/175th of the total daily testosterone output.
Sounds complicated?
Here is what YOU need to know:
The bottom of a man’s normal testosterone range is about 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). The upper limit is about 800ng/dL depending on the lab.
A low score does not always translate to symptoms, but could mean something is off when your doctor observes scores of 200 or 100 ng/dL.
Getting To The Heart Of The Issue: What Does Low Testosterone Do To Your Body?
You have experienced symptoms of low testosterone.
You have tested for it & are well aware of your scores.
Before diving straight into TRT, which can be a recipe for disaster and long-term health issues, you must understand what low testosterone does to your body.
Without going into the nitty gritty science, the effects of low testosterone can extend far beyond the gym and the bedroom.
Brain areas involved with sex desire and mood are packed with testosterone receptors. The hormone fits inside them like a key inside the lock. Without enough testosterone, the receptors have nothing to bind. As a consequence, your body is missing a critical step in a lot of turn-on processes.
Even worse, mood disorders can kick off a vicious cycle and prevent your testicles from producing more testosterone.
TRT & Mood disorders: What Does The Science Say?
To further research the link between testosterone and mood disorders, scientists have conducted a group of experiments, especially in the past decade.
While the results vary, the data shows a significant positive impact of testosterone on mood.
For example, a trial published in the medical journal Aging Male, showed TRT effectively treats depression in men with low testosterone.
This study looked at 50 men with an average age of 57 who had low testosterone. Thirty of the men were diagnosed with depression prior to beginning the study. For those men, depression symptoms significantly decreased by month 6, and only 11 of the 30 (36.7%) were still suffering from some depression after TRT.
Another review of 16 trials confirmed those findings as well. The effects of TRT on mood was positive only if the patients had low testosterone baseline levels.
Also, if you experience more severe depression and anxiety, TRT may not be as effective.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy – What To Do?
If you are serious about starting TRT, you must talk to your doctor or a qualified testosterone replacement therapy center, which there is plenty of around the country.
Unfortunately, a lot of doctors or facilities are not progressive enough to give you a good advise. They will most generalize saying that testosterone is bad for you. Poor souls.
It’s on you to find a trusted source.
Be aware of your scores and your blood profile at all times and if you start TRT and experience side effects, communicate them to your doctor.
Happy TRT’ing!
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