Low T levels and depression

DX'd - Other
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I recently had a blood test done and among other things it shows low levels of Testosterone.

I also found out that lower Testosterone levels can cause depression, irritability and fatigue.

Im experiencing all three of these symptoms.

My family doctor told me that the Risperdal is causing low Testosterone levels.

I don’t want to supplement with Testosterone because I’ve heard that it is damaging to ones health.

Testosterone supplementation can cause heart issues, blood clots, anger outbursts and prostate cancer among other things.

My family doctor didn’t mention supplementation for me anyway.

Now what?

Does this mean that I have to come off the Risperdal?

I’ll discuss with my psychiatrist.

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Did he tell you which Ap’s don’t affect testosterone?

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No I haven’t discussed this with him.
Maybe I’ll ask my pdoc
She’s an MD after all

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I’m pretty sure that APs that don’t raise prolactin levels are acceptable.
Higher prolactin levels usually means lower Testosterone levels.

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Although my prolactin level is a bit high it’s not over the top.

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You mean your testosterone lvls are under the normal range? I remember that there was many testosterone lab tests, one of them is Free Testosterone. You should also look at FSH and LH as they control testosterone levels. I studied all these in university. Basically the brain communicates with the testicles via FSH and LH to produce testosterone lol

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My FSH and LH levels are within normal range.
My prolactin level is at 19 which is a bit higher than normal.

My testosterone level is much lower than normal.

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I had low testosterone while on Risperidone too. I switched to Zyprexa for about six months then Abilify last May.

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Yeah I was on Zyprexa before and I had to come off of it because it raised my blood sugar levels to high.

Abilify made me psychotic so I had to come off of this too.

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I haven’t had my testosterone checked again though.

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Did you suffer from symptoms like fatigue or depression when your testosterone levels were low?

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Yes I did. I was suicidal the spring of 2019. Was feeling tired too, but thought that was due to the depression.

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Low T might not be the only reason. It might just be the cyclical nature of your illness running its course. And you withdrew from depakote recently

I have normal Test levels but i get those symptoms but thats just part of the spectrum of bipolar symptoms

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I have hardly any energy and my depression is around.
I’m assuming it’s due to low testosterone

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It’s hard to know what’s causing my low moods.
Maybe it’s both

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I’ll run it by my pdoc.
I’ll see what she thinks.

Thanks @anon6551389 @Aziz @anon54988740 and @LevelJ1

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Do you work out? Lifting weights increases T levels. And IF you are overweight the fat will create estrogen apparently which is bad for your T levels

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Yeah I heard that lifting increases T levels.
I’m going to increase my dumbbell use everyday, and I’m in the process of losing weight through dieting.
Thanks @Marbles

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