What Could Cause Simultaneous Feelings of Depression and Fatigue, and Is Low Testosterone a Contributing Factor?

Reviewed by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

Family Medicine

Both depression and fatigue can be caused by many things like stress, poor sleep, or hormonal changes. Research shows that low testosterone may play a role in these symptoms, but it is only one factor among many.

Explanation

Feeling down and tired at the same time can happen for many reasons. One possibility is that your body hormones are not balanced. Studies show that low testosterone levels may sometimes contribute to feelings of depression, especially in men and older adults. Testosterone is a hormone that helps keep our bodies and minds working well. When its levels drop, people might feel low in energy and sad. However, fatigue and depression can also be linked to other causes such as stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, sleep issues, or other illnesses. It is important to remember that each person can have different reasons leading to these feelings. While low testosterone may be a factor for some, it is usually not the only cause. Understanding and treating both symptoms often means looking at overall health, lifestyle, and sometimes other medical conditions. If you or someone you know experiences ongoing depression and fatigue, it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider for a full evaluation and advice.

(References)

Määttänen I, Gluschkoff K, Komulainen K, Airaksinen J, Savelieva K, García-Velázquez R, Jokela M. Testosterone and specific symptoms of depression: Evidence from NHANES 2011-2016. Compr Psychoneuroendocrinol. 2021 Mar 10;6:100044. doi: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100044. PMID: 35757365; PMCID: PMC9216439.
Indirli R, Lanzi V, Arosio M, Mantovani G, Ferrante E. The association of hypogonadism with depression and its treatments. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Aug 10;14:1198437. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1198437. PMID: 37635965; PMCID: PMC10449581.
Kheirkhah F, Hosseini SR, Hosseini SF, Ghasemi N, Bijani A, G Cumming R. Relationship between testosterone levels and depressive symptoms in older men in Amirkola, Iran. Caspian J Intern Med. 2014 Spring;5(2):65-70. PMID: 24778779; PMCID: PMC3992230.
Rohr UD. The impact of testosterone imbalance on depression and women's health. Maturitas. 2002 Apr 15;41 Suppl 1:S25-46. doi: 10.1016/s0378-5122(02)00013-0. PMID: 11955793.

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