Men with atypical testosterone levels face a higher risk of depression
Men whose testosterone levels fall unusually high or low for their age group face an increased risk of developing depression. A large study suggests that midlife is a particularly vulnerable period for these hormone-related mental health risks.
Research conducted by scientists at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China suggests that men experiencing unusually high or low testosterone levels for their age group face an increased risk of developing depression. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, analyzed data from 133,733 middle-aged and older adult men, focusing on those between the ages of 40 and 70.
The researchers excluded participants with pre-existing mental health conditions or those taking medications that could alter hormone levels. Key findings indicate that low free testosterone, as opposed to total testosterone, is particularly linked to a higher risk of depression in men. Specifically, men with abnormally low free testosterone were found to be roughly twice as likely to develop depression compared to those with normal levels.
The link between low free testosterone and depression was especially pronounced in men aged 50 to 54, where the risk was associated with a nearly fivefold increase. The study also revealed a U-shaped curve relationship between free testosterone levels and mental health risks, suggesting that both very high and very low levels pose risks, with the lowest risk found in men whose levels fall within the average range for their age group.
While the study cannot prove causation, it suggests that free testosterone measurements could potentially serve as a sensitive biological marker for identifying individuals at risk of depression and anxiety during male aging.
Written by urgent.news from PsyPost's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
